New rules for entering the European Union, as part of the EES system, are already creating serious problems for Serbian carriers. Drivers are being returned from the borders, receiving bans on entry into Schengen countries that can last up to two years, along with fines of several hundred euros, Danas writes.
Drivers from Serbia have faced being returned from the borders of Schengen countries, accompanied by an entry ban and a fine, writes Danas.
Namely, on April 10, the full implementation of the EES (Entry/Exit System) began, which most affects the domestic economy through carriers due to the 90/180 rule. This means that citizens of Serbia can have a total stay of 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area.
The EES, therefore, records when someone entered the EU, when they left, as well as how long they stayed, which significantly complicates the position for carriers because goods travel constantly and drivers from Serbia spend a lot of time in the Schengen area.
Carriers have requested the European Commission (EC) to find some kind of solution so that this rule would not apply to them, as they do not travel there as tourists, but for work.
They warned that this will not only affect drivers, but the entire domestic economy, because goods from here will no longer be able to travel due to the inability of our drivers to transport them, which will also lead numerous companies, exporters from Serbia, into problems.
Exactly what they warned about has already begun to come true these days.
Namely, European Union (EU) states have already started returning drivers from Serbia from the borders, practically deporting them back. In addition, they receive entry bans as well as fines of several hundred euros.
The newspaper Danas received an example of what this looks like, when one of the drivers from Serbia was returned from neighboring Croatia because he exceeded the number of days. Besides being returned to Serbia, he received a fine in the amount of 300 euros.
The president of the “381” Drivers Association, Srđan Tošić, states for Danas that there have been several cases, including four cases alone from the German port of Rostock in the last 20 days.
The situation for them, he warns, is very critical, and there is no solution in sight.
“We have the infantility of the state which, apart from promises, offers nothing else. Despite the recommendations of the EC to resolve the problem with individual countries bilaterally, the state has done nothing,” emphasizes Tošić.
He recalls that with the start of the full implementation of the EES system, the days at the entry borders should have been reset to zero.
“Drivers were supposed to get a new 90 days, within which we hoped for a solution. However, most members within Schengen are not adhering to that, and now problems are starting at the entry borders into Schengen as well,” warns our interlocutor.
He says that it is one rule, but with 10 different interpretations.
“At one point, Croatia expressed readiness to offer visas for long-term stays, but for that, it is necessary to change laws and for it to pass through parliament. However, now even that story has quieted down. The Minister of Economy promised us that a solution is being worked on with Germany, but we later found out that Germany does not want anything bilateral without the EC,” states Tošić.
As he says, they wrote to all those in charge – from the president and prime minister to the ministries.
“In the beginning, the problem was not recognized at all, it was ignored, and later we received promises without anything concrete. When we called consulates in countries where we have a problem, they usually didn’t answer or gave us recommendations to ‘respect the laws’ of the country we are going to,” reveals Tošić.
As he adds, they no longer know whom to turn to for help.
“These latest cases will only speed up the departure of drivers from Serbia, and the shortage is already more than alarming. And while we listen every day to state representatives bringing in investors from the EU and giving them the best conditions, we cannot help but wonder when we will get equal status while we drive goods for those same investors and firms from the EU. Or will we continue to be treated as illegal migrants and criminals until the last driver leaves these areas,” states Tošić.
He points out that drivers have neither legal nor consular protection, and that drivers are being arrested, fined, and expelled.
“Transport in the Western Balkans is currently under embargo and sanctions, and we have an absurdity unprecedented in European frameworks: that goods can move unhindered, that the vehicle—if it meets standards and has licenses and permits—can move unhindered, while the driver—who has all the necessary licenses and meets all conditions—cannot move,” he warns.
According to him, the prescribed fines vary in range.
“Fines go from 100 up to several hundred euros. Entry bans are from six months to two years,” reveals Tošić.
He also adds that a working group meeting with EC representatives will be held this week.
“Honestly, we don’t expect anything anymore. We cooperate with carriers’ associations; everyone is disappointed and afraid of what will happen. Currently, there is no talk of potential new blockades and protests. I am of the opinion that we lost momentum and good energy and that, once we went out, we should not have given up,” concludes Tošić.
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Source: Danas, Photo: N1