Carriers cancel Sept. 14 border-closure protest, will seek solution through EU
After talks mediated by the EU Mission in Belgrade, carriers from four Western Balkan states suspended the planned blockade and expect accelerated action on drivers' Schengen stays.
Carriers from four Western Balkan countries have called off a planned border-closure protest scheduled for 14 September 2026 and will pursue a solution through EU channels, the Makam-trans Association announced on 11 September 2026.
The decision came after a meeting with representatives of several Schengen member states, held through the European Union Mission based in Belgrade. Delegates represented carriers from North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
What the carriers said
“In this way we showed goodwill and understanding for the problems that would arise from interrupting the supply chain of goods between the Western Balkans and the EU, and we expressed trust in the promise that the process to find an appropriate solution for professional drivers and their stay in the Schengen Area longer than 90/180 days will be accelerated until the new visa strategy is adopted in the second half of 2027,” the Makam-trans Association wrote on its Facebook page.
“All preparations for carrying out the protest have been suspended for a certain period,” the association added, saying the move was meant to avoid disruptions in the flow of goods to EU markets while negotiations continue.
Carriers from the region staged a warning protest on 1 September, demanding that authorities address limits on the duration professional drivers may remain inside the Schengen Area. That action prompted intensified talks with EU representatives and Schengen-state officials.
Makam-trans said it will continue to press for a rapid technical or legal arrangement that would ease cross-border work for drivers until the new visa strategy is voted on in the second half of 2027.
Photo: Архива
