TRANSPORT OPERATORS: BRUSSELS MUST FINALLY OFFER A SOLUTION FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS

SARAJEVO, AUGUST 31 /SRNA/ - Transport operators from BiH expect the EU to finally offer a solution to the problem faced by professional drivers from BiH regarding the 90/180-day rule, participants of a protest outside the EU Delegation headquarters in Sarajevo said today.

Igor Beben, owner of the Prijedor-based Beben company, told SRNA that transport operators want to be able to carry out their work without restrictions and to receive the same treatment as transport operators from Croatia, Slovenia, and other EU countries. He said that restrictions are causing major problems for transport operators and harming their companies and employees. Speaking about support from the domestic authorities, Beben said that it cannot be denied, but that their engagement could be greater. "We cannot deny that they are helping. They are helping as much as they can, in our view. There is always room for more," Beben added. Zijad Šarić, Chairman of the Board of the Logistika BiH Consortium, told SRNA that today’s protest was a way of drawing attention to the problems faced by drivers from BiH when staying in the EU and the application of the 90/180-day rule. "By doing this, we want to show that we are facing a major problem and that we expect the EU to finally listen and take steps towards resolving it," Šarić said. He said that transport operators have proposed several possible solutions and expressed hope that tomorrow’s meeting would produce a concrete response. "I hope that a solution will finally be found. We have offered them solutions in various ways," Šarić added. Speaking about the role of the domestic authorities, Šarić said they could do much more if they stepped up their efforts and took a united approach towards the EU. He said that transport operators have long since adapted to European laws and comply with the rules laid down by the EU. Šarić said that following talks with EU representatives, they expect a concrete solution to the problem that is making it difficult for professional drivers from BiH to carry out international transport.