Canada to Join the European Union’s Project Military Mobility
News release
May 6 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces
We are pleased that the Council of the European Union (EU) announced today that Canada – along with Norway and the U.S. – will be invited to participate in the Permanent Structure Cooperation (PESCO) project, Military Mobility, led by the Netherlands.
The Military Mobility project supports the commitment of Member States of the EU to simplify and standardize cross-border military transport procedures. It aims to enable the unhindered movement of military personnel and assets within the borders of the EU and the sharing of best practices.
Given Canada’s existing deployments and longstanding commitment to European security, timely and effective military mobility throughout the European continent is important to Canada. In today’s uncertain security environment, reinforcing the transatlantic bond and the European continent with the ability to deploy and move forces quickly and effectively is essential, and this project addresses this directly.
By joining this project, Canada will contribute our valuable expertise and experience, with a view to enhancing our own procedures and knowledge on military mobility and improve interoperability within Europe thereby ensuring Canadian military planning requirements are in line with evolving European transportation procedures and infrastructure.
Through this project, Canada will be working with our partners to coordinate best practices and expertise, including by participating in expert-level project meetings.
This PESCO project is a great opportunity to further cooperation and sharing of expertise to improve interoperability between Canada and our EU and NATO Allies, and will help us meet not only the challenges of today, but those we can anticipate in the future, both as a friend of the EU and as a NATO Ally.
Quotes
“As a NATO Ally, and longstanding partner in European security, we believe that the development of coherent, complementary and interoperable defence capabilities is vital in our joint efforts to make the Euro-Atlantic area safer. This project will strengthen Canadian cooperation with the EU and other key Allies on a practical level, and help advance Canadian and transatlantic security priorities and interests.”
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
“As project leader we have been looking forward to this moment and we have worked hard to get here. We are very pleased that we can welcome three important NATO countries – including Canada - to this EU project today. Within the project, we will continue to improve military mobility in the next years together.”
Dutch Minister of Defence, Ank Bijleveld
Quick facts
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On November 5, 2020, the Council of the EU took a decision which established the guidelines for third country participation in the project-based elements of PESCO, a major EU defence cooperation initiative launched in 2017.
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There are currently 47 approved PESCO projects that cover areas such as training, land, maritime, air, cyber, and joint enablers.
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The PESCO project Military Mobility is the largest of the ongoing 47 projects, as it includes all 25 EU Member States that participate in PESCO.
Associated links
Contacts
Daniel Minden
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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