Advanced mobility systems across the European Union require accelerated development to meet climate neutrality goals, bolster regional competitiveness, and enhance military mobility capabilities amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, according to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Latvian association Sustainability Cluster.
Riga Forum Focuses on Dual-Use Infrastructure and Funding
European transport mobility serves as a foundational pillar for safety, security, and competitiveness, according to Latvian Minister for Transport Rihards Kozlovskis. Speaking on September 17, 2026, at the forum titled “Mobility in Europe 2030 – Serving Sustainability and Military Purposes” in Riga, officials addressed the pressing need for dual-use infrastructure that facilitates economic movement while enabling rapid military deployments across borders.
Organized by the EESC’s Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure, and the Information Society (TEN) in partnership with the Sustainability Cluster, the high-level event convened representatives from European institutions, national authorities, the business sector, academia, and civil society. According to Marcin Nowacki, President of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society, EESC, Europe must design a mobility system by 2030 where sustainability, competitiveness, fairness, and security reinforce one another rather than compete.
Did you know? According to Roberts Zīle, Vice-President of the European Parliament, most military mobility challenges are low-hanging fruit that do not require massive budgets or extended timeframes to resolve.
Funding Constraints and Investment Demands for 2028–2034
Substantial investment in connectivity remains critical for bridging regional gaps and building a resilient transport network. To achieve these benchmarks, the European Union should allocate at least €100 billion for transport within the Connecting Europe Facility from 2028 to 2034, ensuring investments deliver European added value and meet social and environmental standards, based on discussions at the Riga forum.
Armands Gūtmanis, Chairman of the Latvian association Sustainability Cluster, stressed that sustainability demands decisive action beyond isolated projects and short-term fixes. Meanwhile, Baiba Miltoviča, President of EESC’s Permanent Group on Transport, noted that mobility functions as a strategic asset requiring infrastructure that serves both citizens and economies while raising cross-border security and military readiness.
Protecting Rural Communities During the Green Transition
The green mobility transition must improve daily life for citizens while preventing new economic divides between urban and rural areas. According to EESC participants, the EU must foster a transport system that stays economically strong, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible. This approach relies on digitalisation to streamline processes while safeguarding workers’ rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main goal of the Riga mobility forum?
The forum assessed current progress, exchanged best practices, and outlined practical pathways for achieving sustainable mobility and enhanced military mobility capabilities across Europe by 2030, according to event organizers.
How much funding is recommended for transport in the upcoming Connecting Europe Facility?
The EU should allocate at least €100 billion for transport in the Connecting Europe Facility from 2028 to 2034, as highlighted during discussions at the high-level event.
Why is military mobility now a central focus for the European Union?
European transport mobility has become a fundamental pillar of safety, security, and competitiveness, requiring infrastructure that facilitates economic movement while enabling rapid military deployments in response to a changing international geopolitical landscape, according to Latvian Minister for Transport Rihards Kozlovskis.
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