Carriers from BiH and Serbia block border crossings for the fifth day, expect EU guarantees

Sarajevo (Fena) – Carriers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are continuing to block freight terminals for the fifth day, while their colleagues in Montenegro and North Macedonia have suspended protests after the European Commission announced a new visa strategy for professional truck drivers.

Representatives of the transport sector assess that this is a step forward, but without clear guarantees, satisfaction remains partial. Carriers from BiH are demanding assurances that their drivers will not be punished or prosecuted within the EU until the new rules are implemented, as well as the resolution of demands such as the refund of fuel excise duties, reduction of tolls, speeding up border procedures, and concluding agreements on VAT refunds.

The Head of the EU Delegation in BiH, Luigi Soreca, announced a meeting of the ministers of the Western Balkan countries with representatives of the Commission on 3 February, while the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto calls for constructive dialogue and states that the Council of Ministers remains committed to solving problems in partnership with the EU. (30.1.)