FIND SOLUTION TO PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS' LENGTH OF STAY ISSUE

VIENNA, NOVEMBER 12 /SRNA/ – BiH Ambassador to Austria Siniša Bencun met with Austrian Parliament President Walter Rosenkranz in Vienna today to discuss the current issue of the length of stay of professional drivers from BiH and other countries in the region within the Schengen Area, expressing hope that the Austrian side would consider bilateral solutions, including amendments to Austrian legislation.

Bencun stressed that such solutions would enable professional drivers to stay in Austria for longer than the 90 days within any 180-day period permitted under the current Schengen rules, the BiH Embassy in Austria announced.

As an example, he cited amendments to Croatian legislation, which could also be considered as a model in Austria, noting that he would also inform members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group between Austria and BiH about the issue.

Bencun also briefed Rosenkranz on the recent elections in BiH and the timetable for establishing the new authorities, particularly the legislative bodies, recalling that the election results have already been announced and that the constitution of the Republika Srpska National Assembly and the BiH Presidency is expected on Monday, November 16.

He assessed that, given the numerous powers and areas of responsibility held not only by the state-level parliament but also by the entity parliaments, cooperation should involve all three parliaments in BiH equally.

The interlocutors agreed that BiH needs political stabilisation and a strong commitment from the election winners to forming institutions that will lead the country towards stronger economic development, while Austria, as a friendly country and the third-largest investor in BiH, will certainly continue to play a significant role in this process.