STEVANOVIĆ: SRPSKA GOVERNMENT WILL DO EVERYTHING TO RESOLVE LOGISTIKA CONSORTIUM'S REQUESTS

SARAJEVO, MARCH 26 /SRNA/ – The Republika Srpska Government will do everything it can to meet the requests of the Logistika Consortium in order to resolve the problems transporters have been facing, Republika Srpska Minister of Transport and Communications Zoran Stevanović has said today in Sarajevo.

"First of all, I mean the presence and work of inspection authorities operating under the Republika Srpska Inspectorate, and we will align their working hours with those of the customs service. That is our first step toward solving the problems the transporters have been facing," Stevanović stated.

He said that representatives of the FBiH Government were not present at today's meeting of the Working Group for coordinating activities related to the issue of drivers' stay in the Schengen zone, stressing that transport is the backbone of the economy of both entities.

"It is the obligation of the entity governments to do everything possible and to exert pressure on the Council of Ministers as well to do more both before the European Commission and before the neighbouring Schengen country – Croatia in order for us to find a solution to the transporters issue," Stevanović told the press.

Speaking about the 90/180 rule problem faced by drivers, he says the Republika Srpska Government can only provide support in this case.

"The leader /of SNSD Milorad/ Dodik can use his diplomatic channels and talk with Croatian Prime Minister /Andrej/ Plenković and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which will happen," Stevanović announced.

He noted that serious losses and challenges lie ahead for the entire economy of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, which is why solutions for transporters must be sought urgently in order to avoid even greater impact on the economy.

After the Working Group meeting, the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska Goran Račić said that all capacities in BiH should be directed toward solving the problems of the transport community, as it threatens the survival of companies and negatively affects the economy.

According to him, the Council of Ministers is crucial for resolving drivers’ problems, which is why pressure on this institution should be increased.

"That is the most important task it should be performing at the moment – establishing good relations and resolving problems at the bilateral level with Croatia," Račić stated.

He says he does not see sufficient willingness at BiH level to resolve what he described as the biggest economic challenge at the moment.

"I see the greatest engagement here from Minister /of Transport and Communications Edin/ Forto; I also see that Minister /of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Staša/ Košarac is interested in resolving the issue, even though it is not within his jurisdiction. However, we expect the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Deputy Minister of Security to make this issue their priority," Račić emphasized.