'Creation of European military Schengen zone should make Europe more decisive': proposal on the table

©picture alliance / Anadolu | Ozge Elif Kizil

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) is launching an ambitious plan.

Indeed, Minister Francken will put a proposal forward for the creation of a "European military Schengen zone" on Monday at an informal meeting of European defense ministers in Cyprus.

"If Europe is to be able to defend itself, troops, vehicles and equipment must be able to move more quickly and easily across the continent," Minister Francken explained his vision to Belgian VTM News. "As the logistics hub of Europe, Belgium is a pioneer in military mobility. In a crisis, troop movements should not be slowed down by paperwork or national procedures. Military transport must be able to run as smoothly as free movement within Schengen," the NVA minister continued.

The Belgian defense minister believes that at the European level, more efficient military mobility is essential to strengthen common deterrence and defense and to respond more quickly to crises or threats.

"Europe must act much more decisively here," he said.

From Nicosia, Theo Francken also argues for bolder European action against the Russian shadow fleet. After all, this fleet is being used to circumvent international sanctions and fund Russian war efforts against Ukraine. "Europe cannot look away from the destabilizing role of the Russian shadow fleet. Addressing these illegal activities directly affects Russia's ability to continue financing the war against Ukraine," Francken said.

Negotiations with countries whose flags are being used

Francken supports the European proposal to start negotiations with countries whose flags are being falsely used by the shadow fleet. Agreements should be reached with those countries that allow suspected ships to be boarded and inspected when there is evidence of abuse or false registration.

"With such agreements, we can address the uncanny practice of Russian ships hiding behind false registrations in third countries," the Belgian minister stressed.

©picture alliance / Anadolu | Ozge Elif Kizil