Transporters postpone protest, progress in negotiations with EU

The “Medjunarodni transport” (International Transport) association has announced that the EU has demonstrated a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue and has taken concrete steps toward meeting the demands of the transporters who are dissatisfied with restrictions on the length of stay for professional drivers within the Schengen Area. They say that progress has been made regarding the timeline for issuing special visas for drivers from the Western Balkans.

The protest, originally scheduled for September 14 at Serbia’s border and administrative crossings, has been postponed indefinitely, the “Medjunarodni transport” association announced.

– This decision was made following the latest discussions with the EU Office in Serbia, during which progress was achieved in resolving the issues that prompted the protest – the association stated.

Unlike in the past, they note, the EU has this time demonstrated a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue and has taken concrete steps toward meeting the Association’s demands.

Specifically, they note progress regarding the definition of timelines for issuing special visas to professional drivers from the Western Balkans.

– The extensive diplomatic efforts undertaken by our state institutions have yielded results with a number of EU member states. Since the Association’s primary goal has always been to resolve the problem rather than to protest for its own sake, we believe that, at this juncture, it is responsible and prudent to give an institutional agreement and the fulfillment of commitments a chance to succeed – they emphasize.

Gathering at the borders is a measure of last resort, the transport association notes, but since there has finally been some progress regarding this, they wish to demonstrate good will toward finding a constructive solution.

They point out that the protest has not been cancelled, but merely postponed.

The Association states that it will closely monitor whether the other party fulfills all agreed-upon steps within the promised timeframes.

– Should we observe any obstruction or deviation from the agreement, we will immediately set a new date and call upon transport operators to join a collective protest – the statement reads.

PU Međunarodni Transport Beograd

Međunarodni transport association

special visas for Western Balkans drivers