Transport association announces border blockade protests targeting EU crossings

Professional drivers from the Western Balkans are set to escalate their protest against restrictive Schengen zone policies with planned blockades of border crossings into the European Union. The association "Međunarodni transport" (International Transport) announced these actions, which will be preceded by a peaceful demonstration outside the EU Delegation in Belgrade on August 31.

“

After months of struggle and appeals for an urgent solution to the problem of the limited stay period for professional drivers in Schengen countries, drivers from the Western Balkans are still being arrested, deported, and banned from entering Schengen countries.

For months, drivers have been fighting for the urgent resolution of problems related to the limited stay period for professional drivers in Schengen countries. Despite assurances that professional drivers would be recognized as a special category needing longer stays than the current 90 days within a 180-day period, drivers continue to be arrested, deported, and banned from entering Schengen states.

The association stated that dozens of Serbian drivers are turned back from Schengen borders daily. They expressed frustration that, despite the EU's Visa Strategy draft and subsequent briefings acknowledging the need for extended stays for professional drivers, the European Commission and member states show no willingness to resolve the issue. "Since the protests in January, no effective and concrete solution has been provided," the association noted.

“

Although the draft EU Visa Strategy and subsequent briefings clearly indicated that professional drivers of road freight vehicles are recognized as a special category of persons requiring a longer stay than the current 90 in 180 days, there is obviously no willingness or desire in the European Commission and among member states to resolve this problem.

As a "last call to reason" directed at the European Commission and Schengen member states, peaceful public gatherings will be held on August 31 in front of the EU Delegations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The drivers, along with their employees, feel compelled to fight for their livelihoods through protests, which will expand to all border crossings with the EU on September 14, joined by colleagues from neighboring countries.

“

Since the protests in January, no effective and concrete solution has been provided, so carriers together with their employees are forced to fight for their existence through the only remaining mechanism - protest.