Carriers from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today suspended the blockade of border crossings for freight traffic with European Union (EU) countries after five days, after receiving information from the European Commission that they will be exempted from the disputed rule allowing a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period in Schengen countries.
The blockade ended today at 4 p.m., and according to media reports in BiH, trucks are already withdrawing from the borders.
“Truck withdrawal from the border crossings is underway, because our colleagues from Serbia have received confirmation, and we will also receive it in the coming days, that drivers will be exempted from the 90/180 rule, which was our main issue,” Amir Hadžidedić, a member of the Management Board of the Consortium Logistika BiH, told the Sarajevo-based portal Klix (Klix.ba) after a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Nermin Nikšić.
He added that the entity governments have agreed and signed memorandums committing to work on fulfilling the other demands of the carriers.
Earlier today, a meeting was held between representatives of this Consortium and representatives of the Government of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka.
Carriers from Montenegro and North Macedonia ended their blockades of border crossings with EU countries yesterday, while earlier today carriers from Serbia did the same, stating that further blockades would lead to disruptions in the freight transport supply chain.
The regional blockade of border crossings began on Monday, with the main reason being the problems faced by drivers from Western Balkan countries during transit through the EU. In addition, carriers from each of the countries involved in the blockade had their own demands of their domestic authorities, who promised that these issues would be resolved.
The reason for ending the blockades is the announcement by the European Commission that in its new visa strategy, truck drivers will be treated as a special category, which will serve as a starting point for the future resolution of the long-standing problem faced by drivers from BiH, for whom the current regime does not allow normal work-related travel to Schengen countries.
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Source: N1, Foto: Printscreen N1