Protesting Truckers to Block Commercial Vehicle Border Crossings into Schengen Countries

Border crossing (BETAPHOTO/MILAN TIMOTIC)

In protest against the EU’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) regulation limiting temporary stay in the Union to a total of 90 out of every 180 consecutive days, truck drivers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro have announced they will begin a blockade of commercial border crossings toward Schengen Area countries on Jan. 26 at noon.

The freight companies behind the protest have stated the blockade will last until their issue with the new regulation is resolved.

In Serbia, a total of 15 border crossings will be affected: Batrovci, Sid, Nestin, Backa Palanka, Bogojevo, Bezdan, Backi Breg, Kelebija, Horgos, Srpska Crnja, Vatin, Djerdap, Gradina and Presevo.

According to local freight companies, the limit imposed by the EES significantly cuts down the number of days professional truckers can work, which will in turn hinder the import and export of goods between the EU and Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, since there are not enough drivers available to take over for colleagues who reach the 90-day quota.

Until a long-term solution is found, trucker associations from the region have suggested exempting professional truck drivers from the 90/180 rule by treating all truckers with valid travel documents and proper cargo manifests as cross-border commuters, thereby allowing them to do their job.