Gorčević: We have entered into communication with the EC so that discussions on the transport problem can begin as soon as possible

The Ministry of European Affairs (MEP) has entered into communication with the European Commission regarding the issue of the implementation of the ETIAS Regulation and has received assurances that a joint platform will be established as soon as possible with partners from the Western Balkans and the Directorate General for Home Affairs, in order to begin discussions on this topic as soon as possible and reach an acceptable and sustainable solution, announced the Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević.

Regarding the announced protests by professional transport operators and the blockade of border crossings, she said that the Government of Montenegro is following with full attention and understanding the concerns and challenges faced by this sector caused by the implementation of the ETIAS Regulation, which reduces the number of days of stay in the Schengen zone to 90 in a period of six months, thereby jeopardizing business in this sector, which is the case for the entire region, not just Montenegro. "At the same time, we point out that such measures can lead to serious disruptions in the functioning of international road transport and supply chains, with possible significant consequences for the economy and citizens," said Gorčević.

The Montenegrin Transport Association announced that it will block traffic for freight vehicles on roads leading to border crossings from January 26 to 29, with the possibility of interrupting or extending the blockade. The blockade, as announced, will last from January 26 at 12:00 to January 29 at 12:00.

The flow of goods at border crossings to the Schengen zone will also be blocked by their colleagues from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia on January 26, due to the new electronic entry and exit system into the EU (Entry/Exit System – EES) and the limitation of the duration of stay – work of professional drivers in Schengen countries to a maximum of 90 days in a six-month period.

This rule has been part of the Schengen Agreement since its inception in 1985. In practice, however, it has not caused any major problems for road transport or drivers, as the zone has been expanding for years and the registration systems have not been equally efficient. Border police had to add up the days checking every stamp in the passport.

Since October 12 last year, however, a new Entry/Exit System has been introduced. Now, it is enough to hold the travel document against the reader, and the screen lists the days spent in the Schengen zone. The adjustment period expires on April 10. And transporters from the region fear that their business will come to a standstill. Out of 30 days a month, in practice, drivers will be able to drive through Europe sometimes only 7-8, most often 10, and only in rare cases a maximum of 15 days, because the first day is counted when crossing the border, even a minute before midnight, and the last when leaving the zone, even if the day has just begun.

Montenegrin transporters, in addition to the EES, are also protesting because the Ministry of Finance yesterday did not accept their requests to increase the amount of excise tax refunds on fuel that their colleagues in the region have, to speed up the refund of VAT to 30 to 60 days because they have now been waiting for years, and to extend the work of customs and phytosanitary inspections so that they are adapted to the needs of transporters as taxpayers.