A meeting concerning the regional transport connection of the Western Balkans to the Schengen Zone is scheduled for tomorrow, August 11th, in Skopje. The gathering aims for authorities from Macedonia, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach a decision regarding cross-border movement protocols. According to MIA Bilyana Muratovska of the Association of transport companies (MACAMTRANS), the purpose of the regional hub meeting is to establish an autonomous agency capable of managing the sector’s operational activities.
She noted that the overarching issues surrounding the integration of transport corridors remain unresolved. Furthermore, the transport associations from the Western Balkans plan to address specific regulatory concerns with the European Union. A key point of contention involves professional drivers, who are seeking an exemption from the current rule limiting operational time to 90 days within any 180-day period.
This request, advocating for a direct transport hub mechanism, has been formally submitted to the EU. The discussions at the meeting are expected to focus on creating a unified framework that facilitates smoother movement while adhering to international standards. The outcome of this gathering will be crucial in determining the next steps for integrating the Western Balkans’ transport infrastructure into the broader European network, solidifying the role of the proposed regional hub.
Topics: #transport #regional #hub
