The European Ports Association has called on the MEPs to vote in favour of the own-initiative report of the European Parliament on military mobility on the occasion of the Plenary Session to be held from 15 to 18 December, in whereas the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) believes that this proposal, which also covers port operations, provides a comprehensive and forward-looking contribution to strengthening mobility military in Europe. In particular, Isabelle Ryckbost explained, Secretary General of ESPO, the report "represents a timely and important contribution to improving mobility and "clearly recognises the role of the strategic strategy of ports and addresses several key priorities to ensure military operational efficiency, safeguarding the resilience and smooth functioning of operations commercial ports".

ESPO expressed its appreciation that many of the recommendations expressed by European ports have been taken on board in the final draft of the report, which recognises the role of strategic of ports as critical nodes in mobility corridors serving as key entry and exit points for large-scale military deployments and enabling the integration of sea-land transport, and calls for investments to strengthen the port capabilities and the ability to support military operations. In addition, the association highlighted that the also calls for a harmonised and simplified framework for cross-border military transport permits, including more uniform, digitized and accelerated procedures to promote an effective military Schengen, calling for at the same time, the European Commission to establish a new framework operational and legal situation to help manage situations of crisis, calls for the maintenance of an allocation from the CEF programme and dedicated to military mobility and hopes funding protected under the next Financial Framework Multi-year, including enhanced financial instruments that support investments in port infrastructures are better.

ESPO highlighted that the report also highlights the need to simplify CEF application procedures for dual-use infrastructure projects, military and commercial, and calls for the revision of the current procurement rules including by granting targeted exemptions for projects and activities infrastructure with a significant military component or a dual use. It also recognises the essential commercial role of ports in supply chains and trade, underlining their contribution to the EU's economic resilience, and the need for contingency planning for the diversion of civilian goods, if necessary. Finally, it calls for a enhanced protection of critical infrastructure, including ports, against physical, hybrid and cyber threats.

'With the start of discussions on the new regulation on the military mobility - concluded Ryckbost - European ports are ready to work with the EU institutions to contribute to to translate these recommendations into concrete and effective measures".