Since its launch phase in December 2017, Luxembourg has participated as an active member in the PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) Military Mobility project.
This project supports Member States in their efforts to simplify and standardise cross-border military transport procedures and ensures the free movement of military personnel and assets within the borders of the EU. The aim is to avoid lengthy bureaucratic procedures for military movements. The project serves as a political and strategic platform to discuss progress and problems encountered.
At the end of 2019, the Directorate of Defence validated its National Action Plan on Military Mobility, ensuring regular contact between all government stakeholders to review national procedures and create synergies between the civilian and military worlds.
As a participant in the "Optimising cross-border movement permission procedures in Europe" programme since 2019, the Directorate of Defence has joined several working groups within the European Defence Agency (EDA) to simplify the procedure for the movement of military personnel and equipment.
As a result, Luxembourg signed two agreements in 2021 in the land and air domains. In order to monitor progress at EU level, the Directorate of Defence participates in meetings organised by the EDA.
In 2021, Luxembourg signed a new programme agreement on customs, which will promote a common form for declaring the movement of military assets and reduce the time needed to complete customs formalities. Luxembourg is also supporting the initiative for a digital system for the secure and rapid exchange of information on military mobility. This project is supported by the European Defence Fund (EDF).
Logistics hubs
In June 2022, Luxembourg joined the PESCO Network of logistic hubs in Europe and support to operations (NetLogHubs) as an active member.
Through this project, its members plan to use a network of existing logistic capabilities and infrastructure to establish a multinational network that will evolve into a complete European Multi Modal Transport Hub. This will enable equipment to be prepared more efficiently for operations, depot space to be shared and transport and deployment activities to be harmonised.
Central European Pipeline System (CEPS)
The CEPS is part of the NATO Pipeline System (NPS), which consists of nine separate networks. Established by NATO in 1957, the CEPS program operates a network of pipelines and storage tanks passing through the territory of five host nations: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The United States also participates in the programme.
The programme is responsible for the operation, maintenance and financing of the network. In this respect, the Directorate of Defence and the Department of Mobility and Transport of the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works contribute to the smooth running of the network as national representatives on the CEPS governing body and its sub-committees.