Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski told TV Telma that Macedonia is acting independently to resolve the carriers’ problem by concluding bilateral agreements. According to him, agreements of this kind have already been reached with Switzerland, Croatia and Romania, while work is underway with Austria, Germany and Hungary.
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He explained that this is an EU system and that a solution must therefore be found by the EU. Nevertheless, within the Government’s capabilities, Macedonia is seeking to overcome the problem through bilateral agreements that enable long-term work visas.
Nikolloski said that these countries were selected specifically because Macedonian carriers travel to them most frequently for exports or pass through them in transit.
According to him, assistance can be provided by signing bilateral agreements with countries in the Schengen Area so that carriers can be issued long-term work visas. He added that an agreement had also been reached with the European Commission for drivers to be recognized as professionals, emphasizing that this had already happened.
He reiterated that agreements are in place with Switzerland, Croatia and Romania, that the procedure with Austria is underway, and that work is also continuing with Germany and Hungary. As he noted, these are generally the countries to which Macedonian exporters travel most frequently and where most Macedonian goods are shipped, meaning that Macedonian carriers also travel to them most often.
Reaffirming the Government’s position, Nikolloski said that each Western Balkan country should address this issue separately. He said the problem should not be viewed collectively, as Macedonia’s position differs from that of other countries in the region.
“Each country must resolve the problem independently. We are resolving it individually and we have a solution; if the other countries fail to do so, then that is their problem,” Nikolloski emphasized.
The minister reiterated that the final solution must come from the European Commission, with which several meetings have already been held. He expects an appropriate solution to be reached soon and urged carriers not to fall victim to foreign propaganda, as the Government is working on bilateral agreements with the countries.
