Serbian villagers end border blockade after EU exemption agreement

Residents of the Serbian villages of Vizić and Neštin have ended their six-day road blockade leading to the border crossing with Croatia. The protest was initiated due to issues with the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES).

A temporary agreement has been reached with the EU, granting an exemption that will take effect on Monday, July 20. This exemption means that residents of these border villages, who regularly cross into Croatia for work, school, or medical appointments, will not be subjected to the fundamental checks required by the EES upon entering the EU country.

Under the agreement, individuals requiring frequent transit through Croatia must apply for a National Facilitation Program. This program is designed to expedite their passage through the Ilok and Principovac border crossings.

Previously, the limited number of entries allowed under the EES posed significant difficulties for the villagers. They were unable to take the shortest routes to places like Bačka Palanka, where they attend school, work, or receive medical treatment. The blockade highlighted the practical challenges the new system presented for local communities with cross-border daily lives.

The resolution of the blockade signifies a practical adjustment to the EES implementation, acknowledging the specific needs of border populations. The agreement aims to restore normal cross-border movement for the affected residents while maintaining the integrity of the EU's border control system.