Rally Of Professional Drivers (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)
The European Commission (EC) has said that the rules for the Schengen zone are not going to change, even though the institution's officials are aware that some categories of drivers, including professional truck drivers, are facing problems entering and leaving EU member states that belong to the free movement zone.
EC spokesman Markus Lammert said at a regular news conference in Brussels on Sept. 1 that he sees that some categories of professional drivers from third countries, such as truck drivers, athletes and artists need to be allowed to stay longer than the allowed 90 days in a 180-day period due to the nature of their work.
Lammert stressed that the Entry/Exit System (EES) has not introduced any new rules nor limitations on stays in the Schengen zone and that the limitations existed before but that the new electronic system enables the better application of these rules, i.e. the precise registration of entries, exits and staying times.
He suggested that a practical solution for professional drivers from the Western Balkans should be sought through bilateral arrangements with EU member states and suggested seeking "practical solutions" within the existing rules.
The EC said that it remains open to talks on solutions for professional drivers but that the existing Schengen rules remain.
Several hundred transporters protested in front of the EU's offices in Sarajevo, Belgrade, Podgorica and Skopje on Aug. 31. They announced that they intend to block border crossings between the EU and Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia starting Sept. 14 unless the EU solves the question of limited staying times for truck drivers in the Schengen zone by then.
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