PROTECT DOMESTIC GOODS AND CARRIERS, NOT BOW TO INTERESTS OF THE EU

SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 1 /SRNA/ – Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac told SRNA that the example of the problems faced by domestic carriers is a mirror of the EU, which protects only its own economic interests, but also pointed out that there are those in BiH who blindly listen to the EU and want to please European officials, even at the expense of domestic businessmen.

Košarac emphasized that officials in joint institutions must protect the people of BiH and the placement of domestic goods, and not, as some do, unquestioningly submit to the interests of the EU.

"The consortium `Logistika` credibly represents the interests of domestic carriers and we must not ignore their demands. All institutions must be at their disposal. I am grateful to them for their direct approach in recognizing the problems and ways of solving them," said Košarac, who is also Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

Košarac stressed that the EU is an illusion, since it has proven not to be well-intentioned towards BiH.

"They want to devalue our goods and services, while aggressively imposing their own goods and interests on us in BiH," Košarac pointed out.

He noted that his position is clear – that he is a strong advocate of opening up other markets as well.

"This issue with the EU is just a one-way street in which we regularly pay `penalties,`" Košarac stated.

Košarac also said that the Office for Veterinary Affairs of BiH must serve the needs of businessmen, and that the director’s duty is to be fully at their service and to ensure this.

"If there is a problem in harmonizing working hours with Croatian inspectors at border crossings, I demand from the Veterinary Office to immediately align them. If Croatia does not want this, we will find solutions that they may not like. But they asked for it themselves," Košarac said.

He reiterated – there will be zero tolerance for negligence by inspectors.

"If anyone has a complaint about the work of inspectors, let them report it with arguments to the competent authorities. There will be no tolerance for negligence or anything of the sort," Košarac emphasized.

Since this morning, freight trucks have been blocking traffic on roads across Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, making it difficult for passenger vehicles to pass, even though the carriers had announced blockades at border crossings with the EU, the Auto-Moto Association of Republika Srpska told SRNA.

The protests were launched by carriers gathered in the Logistika BiH consortium, which will affect supply chains.

The protest began at 6.00 a.m. and will continue until their demands are met, which include the elimination of discrimination against drivers in the EU, amendments to regulations, financial relief for carriers – a refund of 50 percent of excise duties, a 50 percent discount on tolls, recognition of exporter-of-services status, as well as faster processing at border crossings, inspection, and customs procedures.