Following reports that transport operators from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro had blocked roads due to new European Union measures, namely the problems caused to them by the new Entry-Exit System (EES), the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Milan Antonijević, also reacted, expressing concern and undertaking a series of activities within his remit.
In his capacity as the national equality body and a member of the European Network of Equality Bodies, EQUINET, the Commissioner drew the organisation’s attention, with the aim of preventing any potential act of discrimination, to the possibility of unequal treatment of professional drivers who are nationals of third countries and who regularly cross the borders of EU Member States.
The Commissioner also contacted the European Ombudsman, Teresa Anjinho, regarding the monitoring of the work of relevant EU institutions, and informed the Prime Minister of Serbia of all the activities undertaken.
Antonijević expects that the measures taken will contribute to an adequate resolution of the problem and stressed that he remains available for further cooperation.
Drivers began the blockades at noon by stopping freight border crossings towards Schengen countries, while passenger terminals were not affected. In agreement with other colleagues, the drivers’ association decided that during the blockade, vehicles transporting medicines, animals, ammunition and explosives would be allowed to pass without obstruction.
"If this situation is not resolved, the economy and citizens will feel the consequences. Those who introduced the EES system have not borne any consequences, while transport operators have taken on the entire burden of the problem," the hauliers said.
On the other hand, officials in Brussels say they are "aware of the concerns of transport operators from the Western Balkans" and that they are "monitoring the situation and are in daily contact with partners".
This is an issue to which we are paying full attention
However, speaking at the Commission, European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert recalled that "the entry-exit system does not introduce any new rules or any new requirements regarding the length of stay in the Schengen area".
"We are aware that for a certain number of professionals from third countries who are not cross-border workers, there may be a need to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes highly mobile professions such as truck drivers. This also depends on national rules and existing bilateral agreements, and this is an issue to which we are paying full attention. This is something that is currently being worked on, and reflections are ongoing, also in the context of preparations for the upcoming visa strategy, which is planned for later this week. And once again, we remain engaged with our partner countries in the Western Balkans and continue to closely monitor the situation," Lammert said.
Protests by truck drivers and transport operators
Protests by truck drivers and transport operators erupted due to the application of rules limiting stays to 90 days within a six-month period in the European Union, which participants consider unworkable in practice for international road transport. As they state, the nature of their work involves frequent and short stays in different countries, which makes strict compliance with these regulations difficult.
The trigger for the blockades was the introduction of a new system for recording entry into and exit from the European Union, which more precisely tracks the stay of citizens of non-EU countries. Under this regime, drivers from third countries may spend a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen area during any 180-day period, which transport operators see as a serious obstacle to the smooth conduct of international transport.
(EUpravo zato)
