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The ability of allied forces to operate in Europe is still hindered by border restrictions which must be changed if theEuropean Union wants the alliance to succeed.

At present, forces have to battle past infrastructure challenges where roads and bridges are too weak to bear the weight of heavy equipment, and low-clearance tunnels and tiny air strips.

In a bid to solve the problem, the Netherlands, as well as Americas top army general in Europe want to change that.

In June, at a meeting of NATO leaders Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert called on EU officials to create a military Schengen zone.

Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said: We must be able to move quickly to any place where there is a threat.

And, while EU leaders approved a plan for greater military co-operation, it may not be enough if a crisis hits.

Officials suggest a military Schengen zone would not cost much to set up.

The Schengen zone is an area of 26 European states that allows border-free travel for many Europeans.

The agreement, signed in 1985, took effect in 1995 and abolished the need for passports and other types of border controls at their mutual bloc borders.

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And the Dutch ministers calls for wider cooperation has been backed up by the senior United States Army commander in Europe - Lieutenant General Ben Hodges.

Lieutenant Hodges, a three-star general, is stationed in Europe. He has faced passport checks and even diversions at several European countries that he and his troops have visited.

He said candidly: I wish that we could move across Europe as quickly as migrants do.

Of course, we should have to meet all the EU road laws, respect sovereignty, but it is a surprisingly cumbersome process in several countries to get permissions to move troops, weapons, ammunition, even just regular convoys.

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He added: I was nave. I just assumed, well, these are all EU countries, or NATO countries, it should be like going from Florida to Virginia on I-95.

And its absolutely not the case. So theres just a variety of reasons in terms of diplomatic clearances, regulatory procedures, infrastructure.

A spokesman for the European Defense Agency - which aids military cooperation among EU countries - was confident that a plan could get underway quickly.

It wants to work with the European Commission to ensure the military can work seamlessly between countries.

They hope to implement changes by next month.

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Every member country, no matter how large or small, has an equal say in discussions and decisions. Photo shows: Signing the North Atlantic Treaty which marked the beginning of NATO, 1949.

NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said: Last autumn, we looked at a map of Europe which showed how difficult it was to move troops from one country to another at short notice.

We used a traffic-light analogy and we saw that large parts of the map were red. We have worked very hard since then, and made significant progress.

NATO allies have cut red tape, and updated complex procedures, with the support of ministries and parliaments.

We are now looking at what more needs to be done, for instance regarding railways, airfields and seaports.

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Military chiefs attack European Union borders: 'Why can't armies ... - Express.co.uk