SUPPORT FOR PROTESTS BY DOMESTIC AND REGIONAL TRANSPORT OPERATORS

SARAJEVO, JANUARY 26 /SRNA/ – Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac has expressed support for the protest by domestic and regional transport operators at border crossings with the European Union, stressing that the issue faced by drivers regarding stays in Schengen countries and the new EU entry system must be placed at the top of the priority list for all relevant institutions.

"We must stand by our people to the fullest extent, because they are facing a discriminatory and stepmotherly attitude from the EU," Košarac posted on Instagram.

Košarac believes that the line minister, Minister of Transport and Communications Edin Forto, must urgently travel to Brussels to resolve this issue with EU institutions.

"He should invite the line ministers from the region and jointly insist that the EU take into account the demands of our transport operators. We cannot remain silent in the face of such an unfair and improper position of the EU on our carriers," Košarac emphasized.

According to him, transport operators from BiH are hardworking, responsible, and perform their jobs in a professional manner.

"The EU recognizes their capacity and offers them work, because it wants to keep them working for European companies. We must not allow ourselves to be left without people, without qualified personnel. Trucks are useless to us if we are left without professional drivers," Košarac warned.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers reiterated that Minister Forto must promptly seek a solution in Brussels, stressing that this is not an individual problem, but an extremely complex situation that will also negatively affect BiH’s foreign trade.

"The EU is our important foreign trade partner, accounting for about 72 percent of our total exports. The EU must be our partner, not a stepmother to our transport operators and the economy as a whole," Košarac noted.

He added that truck and road transport is a key lifeline of the domestic economy, and that it is unacceptable for anyone to ignore the problems of this sector.

"Our priority must be our people, not some EU bureaucrats," Košarac stated.

Transport operators from Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and BiH blocked cargo terminals at border crossings toward Schengen countries at noon due to problems related to the new EU entry and exit system and the rule under which professional drivers are subject to a 90-day stay within the Schengen area over a 180-day period.