The Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans Six (KIF ZB6) has sent a joint appeal to the European Commission (EC) to urgently resolve the difficulties arising from the application of the 90/180 rule to professional drivers in international road transport.
KIF ZB6, consisting of the chambers of commerce of Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Albania, made the appeal considering the strategic importance of the unhindered flow of goods between the Western Balkans region and the EU.
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The appeal states that the expected developments resulting from these measures are of serious concern and could develop into a systemic economic and political challenge for the region.
"The EU is the most important trade and investment partner of the Western Balkans. More than 60 percent of the region's total foreign trade takes place with EU member states, with road transport being the dominant carrier of supply chains. Around 370 thousand companies are directly affected by these measures. Restricting the work mobility of professional drivers through short-term residence rules leads to serious disruptions in the transport sector, reducing available transport capacities and increasing costs, with direct negative effects on both the economies of the Western Balkans and the economy of the European Union," the joint appeal states.
As announced by the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro (PKCG), KIF ZB6 reminded that they had contacted EU institutions about this issue almost three years ago, however, the response received at that time did not offer an adequate solution, and in the meantime the circumstances have further deteriorated.
"This approach is not in line with the objectives of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and is difficult to reconcile with the common efforts to further integrate the economies of the region into the EU Single Market. The economies of the Western Balkans, as candidate countries on a clear path towards membership of the Union, which are completely surrounded by EU borders, should benefit from a simplified and differentiated application of the EES regime, which reflects their status as partners in the accession process and provides a clear distinction compared to third countries," the appeal states.
The European Commission has been proposed to adopt temporary measures that will enable professional drivers to carry out international road transport without hindrance, until a permanent and systemic solution is established.
"Such an approach would be in the common interest of the EU and the Western Balkans and would represent a clear signal of genuine commitment to the integration of the region and preserving the functioning of supply chains," the statement concluded.
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