started · updated
Western Balkan transport companies postpone EU border blockade
Transport companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have indefinitely postponed a planned regional blockade of 21 border crossings into the European Union, originally scheduled for September 14, 2026.
The protest was organized to demand a solution to the Schengen 90/180-day rule, which limits the time professional drivers from the Western Balkans can spend in the Schengen Area. Drivers argued the current system threatens the sustainability of their companies, as the rule does not account for the nature of international transport work. The Logistics BiH Consortium had proposed increasing the allowed stay to between 125 and 130 days within a 180-day period.
The decision to halt the protest follows recent negotiations with European Union representatives, including the EU Mission in Belgrade. Officials reported progress in defining timelines for issuing special visas for professional drivers, which could mitigate the impact of the current entry/exit system. While the blockade is on hold, transport associations emphasized that they will continue to monitor whether these institutional commitments are met.
Entities
Edin Forto · European Commission · European Union · Logistics BiH Consortium · Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina · Nikola Brković · Schengen Area · Western Balkans · Đorđije Lješnjak
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The protests are driven by the 90/180-day Schengen stay rule, which limits professional drivers from Western Balkan countries. www.banjaluka.com · etv.me · otvoreno.me · 6yka.com · radiobrcko.ba · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The consortium has proposed increasing the allowed stay for professional drivers to between 125 and 130 days within a 180-day period. www.banjaluka.com · 6yka.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The planned blockade will target a total of 21 border crossings into European Union member states. etv.me · otvoreno.me
- [● 6 SOURCES] Transport companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have announced a joint regional protest starting September 14. www.banjaluka.com · etv.me · burgasmedia.com · otvoreno.me · 6yka.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nikola Brković of the Logistics Consortium stated that the European Commission has failed to provide a concrete solution despite acknowledging the issue. 6yka.com
- [DISPUTED] The planned border blockade scheduled for September 14 has been postponed indefinitely. biznisinfo.mk · srpskainfo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Negotiations with the EU have shown progress regarding special visas for professional drivers. srpskainfo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decision to postpone the protest was made following meetings with the EU Mission in Belgrade. biznisinfo.mk