Truck drivers from Balkan countries outside the EU have blocked the border crossings to protest the recent enforcement of EU entry regulations. Montenegrin and Macedonian drivers have lifted the blockade on Jan. 30th, while Bosnian-Herzegovin and Serbian truckers will continue. The EU promised to solve the issue. European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkunen said that in future truck drivers will have a special restriction on their stay in Schengen.
Long columns formed in Bosnia Hercegovina and Serbia, but also in North Macedonia and Montenegro in a coordinated action. Also the Montenegrin Bar port is blocked. Up to now, the blockage concerns only trucks and no major problems for passenger cars or coaches were reported. 93 % of exports from the Balkans have been blocked, the damage reaches 92 million Euros per day claims PKS Serbian chamber of commerce Marko Cadez.
The concerned crossings are Batrovci, Šid, Bogojevo, Bačka Palanka, Bezdan, Nestin, Ljuba, Sot, Horgoš, Kelebija, Bački Breg, Vrška Čuka, Gradina, Strezimirovci, Ribarci, Mokanje, Kaludjerovo, Đerdap, Preševo, Prohor Pčinjski, Gospun, Jabuka and Špiljani are blocked, while the exit is blocked at the Srpska Crnja and Vatin border crossings, the Roads of Serbia reported. The blocked borders are essential for the corridor linking the EU to Turkey and the Middle East.
European Union rules limit their stay in the Schengen area to 90 days within any 180-day period. This rules applies to tourists and professional drivers without distinction. European Commission will explore the opportunities to relax the 90-days-in-180 rule for truck drivers from the Western Balkans. Western Balkan ministers are due to have a meeting with representatives of the European Commission on February 3 to discuss international transport issues and drivers’ demands, Bosnia’s government said in a statement on Thursday.
Transportation is a major economic factor. Countries with good support for their truck business – example Latvia or Bulgaria – have achieved substantial economic benefits. International truck drivers in North Macedonia can earn a salary double the average salary in the country. Europe is lacking truck drivers, and the Balkans could be a part of the solution instead of part of the problems.
The huge issues for Balkan truck drivers with EU are known since years. Professionals report of long waiting times due to lack of staff and lack of automation, “penalty hunting” of customs authorities due to non-standardized paper work, unfair practices when issuing licenses etc.
“EU is mainly focusing on rail and even established rail border management for crossings without trains. They neglect the economic importance of trucks and be it for lack of alternatives.
Balkan ministries do not really collaborate with the truck driver associations who voiced their concerns since years.
This issue would not have happened if the Balkan ministries would have taken their role seriously and have been better prepared in the regular meetings, Balkan summits, meetings of Ministries of Economy etc.
The EU could have focused with more realism and pragmatism and avoided troubles on their borders, instead of chasing nice press pictures of their green activities.
Taking the bus once from Gevgelija to Vienna can teach you more about the European reality than all the reports of the relevant commissions.
An expert who does not want to be cited by name
Belgian-Macedonian Business Club 
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