Bosnian truck drivers blocked two freight terminals on the border with Croatia on Monday, protesting new European Union visa rules that limit their time at the block.
Since October, the EU has started implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is subject to the same 90 days in 180 days rule as tourists.
The drivers of the Balkans describe this system as “discriminatory”, as according to them it makes their work administratively impossible.
The implementation is expected to come into full effect on April 10, bringing with it tighter controls and multiple turn-backs at the border.
“Our work has become administratively impossible”, said Hidajet Muratovic, one of the organizers of the protest in Orasje, adding that the drivers will not give up without a concrete solution.
On Monday, the terminals in Orasje and Svilaj were blocked by truckers, while in Gradiska the police prevented the blocking attempt. Similar protests were also held at the end of January in Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, but were suspended after the announcement of talks in Brussels, which have not yet brought a decision.
Serbian drivers have decided to postpone the new roadblocks until April 10, when the new rules are expected to take full effect.
