English
Macedonia is solving the problem with transporters independently, through bilateral agreements. We already have such agreements with Switzerland, Croatia and Romania, and we are working on this with Austria, Germany and Hungary. It is an EU system and they need to find a solution, we are finding the solution within the framework of the Government’s capabilities through these bilateral agreements for long-term work visas, said Deputy Prime Minister and Transportation Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski.
Nikoloski, in an appearance on TV Telma, emphasized that these countries are chosen as countries where Macedonian transporters export or transit the most. The problem arose when stricter implementation of EU rules decreed that Macedonian truckers can only work for several months at a time in the EU.
The way we can help is to conclude bilateral agreements with the member states of the Schengen zone so that long-term work visas can be issued that could be used by transporters. That is one thing, the second thing that we have already managed to agree with the European Commission is that drivers be recognized as professionals and something that has happened. We already have such agreements with Switzerland, Croatia and Romania. Austria is in the pipeline, we are working with Germany and Hungary and in general these are the countries where Macedonian exporters most often go and where Macedonian goods are most often exported, which means that Macedonian transporters most often travel there, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Nikoloski confirmed the Government’s position that each country in the Western Balkans, which has the same problem, should solve it independently.
What I have said on several occasions and will say now is that each country should solve the problem independently. I do not think it is wise to view this problem jointly, but all countries should solve it individually. We are solving it individually, we have a solution and if other countries cannot solve it, that is their problem, emphasized the Minister of Transport.
Nikoloski reiterated that the solution should come from the European Commission, for which several meetings have already been held, and he expects that an appropriate response will be found soon, and appealed to carriers not to succumb to foreign propaganda, as the Government is working on bilateral agreements with countries.