Nikolloski: Bilateral long-term visa agreements are the only route for transport operators to the EU

Transport and Communications Minister Aleksandar Nikolloski said the only solution for transport operators, who can stay in the European Union for just 90 days, is to conclude bilateral agreements with each EU member state.

Several days ago, transport operators from Western Balkan countries protested outside European Union missions. They called for the limit on stays in the Schengen Area not to apply to them, stressing that they travel to transport goods, not for tourism.

Asked by journalists what steps the ministry would take following the official response from Brussels, Nikolloski said the Union’s position was the same one that had been repeated for months.

“I do not believe that Brussels gave a negative response. It repeated the position expressed for months: this issue can be resolved in two ways. In its new transport strategy, the EU has classified transport operators as professionals, while the only possible route is bilateral agreements on long-term work visas. We have already concluded and are continuing to conclude such agreements, so this remains the only solution,” Nikolloski said.