News item | 18-11-2025 | 3:40 PM
8 European countries took an important step in Brussels to strengthen military preparedness and cooperation in Europe. With the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) it is Central Northern European Military Mobility Area (CNE MMA) officially founded. This new partnership should make the movement of soldiers and equipment across national borders easier, faster and more efficient.
“An important step forward, but we are not there yet,” said Lieutenant Colonel Harold Hummel, military mobility staff officer at the Operational Readiness Management Directorate (DAOG). “Further harmonization on the European continent should lead to a kind of military Schengen area.”
Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic join forces within the CNE MMA. The initiative builds on the collaboration between the Netherlands, Germany and Poland, which will be launched in January 2024 Military Mobility Model Corridor launched.
The Letter of Intent has been signed by the 8 countries. This reflects the shared commitment to deepen cooperation and align with the broader priorities of the European Union and NATO. This is done to strengthen military mobility, interoperability and collective defense.
The participating countries work together to:
- simplify and harmonize procedures for military movements;
- improve infrastructure and better coordinate schedules;
- strengthen information exchange and coordination;
- improve digital processes; and
- work more closely with the EU and NATO to enhance strategic and operational preparedness.
The CNE MMA serves as an example for future regional initiatives. It contributes to the broader European goal of a Joint European Military Mobility Area: an integrated network in which troops and equipment can move quickly and safely within Europe.
On behalf of the Netherlands, Souschef Material Readiness, Commander Han van Bussel, signed the declaration of intent. The Netherlands thus reaffirms its leading role in the field of military mobility within Europe. “Being able to get troops on the ground quickly is an important step in further deterrence as part of the broader European security framework,” van Bussel said.