The European Commission has announced that it does not plan to change the existing Schengen rules, despite growing pressure from freight carriers in the Western Balkans who say the current restrictions are creating serious problems for professional truck drivers.
Protests and transport drives were organized today in Sarajevo, Belgrade, Podgorica and Skopje. Carriers have warned that, unless a concrete solution is found to the restrictions on drivers’ stays in the Schengen area, they will organize a regional blockade of freight traffic toward the European Union on September 14.
At the center of the dispute is the rule under which professional drivers from countries outside the EU can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Transport companies and drivers from the Western Balkans are demanding that the permitted stay be extended from 90 to 120 days.
The European Commission, however, says the recently introduced Entry/Exit System (EES) does not change the existing rules or introduce new requirements concerning the duration of short-term stays.
Markus Lamert, spokesperson for the European Commission, said the institution is aware of the difficulties faced by certain professional groups.
“We are aware of the problems faced by truck drivers, sportsmen and artists. However, the new Entry and Exit System does not introduce new rules, but only automates the monitoring of already existing residence restrictions. We remain open to discussing what can be done within our rules, but it must be clear that the Schengen rules will continue to apply. We continue to work with our partners from the Western Balkans.”
The European Commission’s position comes as carriers across the region continue to demand changes that would allow professional drivers to spend more time working inside the European Union without exceeding the existing Schengen limit.
Nikola Brković, a transporter from Prnjavor, said the protests were intended to send a clear message to European authorities.
“We want to send as strong a message as possible, that we will not give up on our demands, which is to solve the problem of our drivers staying in the Schengen zone.”
The carriers have given European authorities until September 14 to respond to their demands. If no solution is reached, they have announced blockades at border crossings and a halt to freight traffic toward the EU.
They stressed, however, that the planned action would not prevent citizens from crossing the borders. Buses and passenger vehicles would continue to move, while the blockade would target freight transport.
Transport representatives warn that such a measure could have significant economic consequences for the region, given the Western Balkans’ strong dependence on trade with the European Union.
Around 80 percent of the region’s economic activity is linked to trade with the EU, while a large share of that trade is carried out by road freight transport.
The dispute therefore puts pressure not only on transport companies and professional drivers, but also on supply chains and businesses across the Western Balkans that depend heavily on uninterrupted access to the European market.
