“Immediately after the announced protests by professional transport operators and the blockades of border crossings, we contacted the European Commission regarding the issue of the implementation of the ETIAS regulation and received assurances that a dialogue on this issue would be launched as soon as possible. I consider it very positive that we already had a meeting today with representatives of the European Commission and the Western Balkan countries,” said Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, after a video meeting dedicated to the impact of the implementation of the 90/180 rule and the introduction of the European Union Entry/Exit System on the labour mobility of professional drivers from Montenegro and the region.
At the meeting, it was pointed out that the WB countries share challenges, including the high dependence of their economies on road transport and transit through Schengen, as well as the risk of renewed border blockades if concrete progress is not shown in the short term.
“Montenegro fully understands the importance of EU migration policies, but in this case we are talking about a clearly defined and limited number of professional drivers for international transport to EU countries, primarily Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Belgium and Croatia. These people do not pose a migration risk, which is why we are ready, in cooperation with the EC and partners from the region, to actively contribute to defining concrete and practical solutions, with full respect for the EU acquis,” Gorčević stated.
As representatives of most EU Member States indicated that there is currently no political consensus for changes to Schengen rules or the introduction of exceptions from the EES, taking into account security aspects and issues of irregular migration, the European Commission expressed readiness to seek solutions within the existing legal framework, all in order to avoid jeopardising supply chains and regional trade.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that the Entry/Exit System will be fully implemented by April 2026, and that all crossings of the Schengen external borders will be recorded in the system, with strict enforcement of the 90/180 rule.
With the aim of continuing the dialogue, the formation of a technical working group at the level of the EC and WB countries is planned, which will meet as early as next week, within which precise statistical data on the number of professional drivers, patterns of stay and specific challenges in the implementation of the 90/180 rule and the Entry/Exit System will be exchanged.
EC representatives stated that there are no quick solutions, but that there is readiness for an accelerated and structured dialogue with the aim of finding sustainable solutions within the existing rules.
The meeting gathered ministers of European integration, interior affairs and transport of the Western Balkan countries, including Montenegro, as well as representatives of the relevant directorates of the European Commission. On behalf of Montenegro, in addition to Minister Gorčević, the meeting was attended by Minister of Maritime Affairs and head of the Ministry of Transport Filip Radulović and Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović.
MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS