The Director of the Transport Community, Matej Zakonjšek, says that work is being done to resolve the length of stay of professional drivers in the Schengen area, for which he says that regular meetings are being held in Brussels, a process in which the Transport Community is facilitating.
Zakoshnjek presented today before the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs the key findings from the Annual Reports for 2025 of the International Community - the Transport Community.
“As for professional transporters, I am very aware of this problem. As a transport community, we are facilitators between all the different parties that are responsible in order to find a solution that will address some of these issues. In Brussels, there are regular meetings on this issue where we look at all aspects – what are the problems and what are the short-term and long-term solutions, in order to find a solution. It is important to understand how important this issue is for transporters and I think that everyone is looking in the same direction for that. The North Macedonian Association of Professional Transporters is also very active on this issue, always bringing examples and possible solutions. We are here, be convinced that we are as active on this issue as we can be, and of course we also have limited possibilities because it is a Schengen rule. However, be convinced that we are working in this direction,” said Zakonjšek, answering the question of SDSM MP Mitko Trajčullovski about what is being done to overcome the the problem of professional carriers.
The Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs, Antonio Milososki, said that it is in the interest of everyone in Europe that the issue of transporters be resolved in the best possible way.
"Regarding transporters, what really helps us is that there are chambers of commerce and businessmen who are outside Macedonia and have their associates here. In Macedonia, there are foreign investments that work and export products to the German, Austrian automotive industry, to Slovakia and other countries. The interruption of that chain of cooperation or a time delay, one day, two, three or more, increases the price of transport and the price of the final product. It is in the interest of everyone in Europe that this issue is resolved in the best possible way. During May, I expect to have a visit from a high-ranking delegation from Croatia and, among other things, to discuss this topic within the framework of the existing system that certainly cannot be changed, to find places where there is goodwill at the operational level so that these challenges or obstacles in transport can be overcome," said Milososki.
During the debate, VMRO-DPMNE MP Eli Panova demanded answers from Zakonjsek about the stance on the borders towards the EU after the implementation of the new entry and exit system.
Zakonjšek emphasized that reducing waiting times and increasing capacities for better border traffic requires cooperation in different sectors from the systems of both sides of the borders, customs, sanitary inspections, police ..., while also recalling the benefits of establishing the "Green Corridors" project for truck transport. In terms of reducing waiting times at the borders, which he said is still long, there is the Program for Security and Sustainable Transport through which 54 million euros have been allocated from European funds for investments in infrastructure and IT solutions at 11 identified border crossings and between North Macedonia and Bulgaria and North Macedonia and Greece. "It is not only about data exchange, but there must also be infrastructural improvements, ICT solutions ... We are working in this direction", emphasized Zakonjšek.
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