Nikolloski: Skopje negotiating separately with the EU on the issue of transport operators

North Macedonia is independently addressing the issue of professional truck drivers’ stays in Schengen-area countries through bilateral negotiations with European Union member states. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikolloski said Skopje is not acting as part of a group with other Western Balkan countries affected by the problem, as, according to him, some countries are using the issue for political interests.

Asked about the progress of talks with the European Union regarding the status of transport operators, Nikolloski said North Macedonia is not and will not become part of any regional grouping on the matter.

“First of all, we are not part of any group of countries in the region, nor will we be. We are handling this issue independently because it has been misused by some other countries, partly for show, partly for political points there, and everything these countries have said has not been implemented so far. This can only lead to confusion and cause serious damage to the domestic economy,” the relevant minister stated.

He stressed that the decision to hold direct talks with each country had been maintained throughout the negotiating process. According to him, agreements have already been reached with several EU countries, while negotiations with several others are nearing completion.

Nikolloski announced that agreements have been secured with Croatia, Switzerland and Romania. Meanwhile, the solutions being discussed with Slovenia, Austria and Germany are in their final phase.

According to him, the agreements reached are expected to provide a solution to the entire problem faced by professional truck drivers from North Macedonia.