Obraćamo vam se u ime kabinskog osoblja – profesionalnih vozača i transportnih operatera Zapadnog Balkana, koji svakodnevno povezuju tržišta Evropske unije i našeg regiona, čineći osnovu privredne i logističke povezanosti Evrope.
Naše pitanje je jednostavno, ali presudno:
Da li će kabinsko osoblje drumskih prevoznika biti izuzeto iz šengenskih pravila o boravku?
Ukoliko je odgovor negativan, tražimo da se u okviru istog pitanja razmotri i naš konkretan zahtjev: da se za kabinsko osoblje – profesionalne vozače iz zemalja Zapadnog Balkana uvedu višekratne vize za kategoriju profesionalnih vozača sa rokom važenja od pet (5) godina, koje će omogućiti obavljanje poslova vozača bez primjene odredbi o boravku.
Na taj način bi se priznalo realno stanje – da profesionalni vozači ne borave u zemljama Evropske unije, već rade u skladu sa AETR pravilima, Direktivom 2003/59/EZ o stručnoj osposobljenosti i periodičnoj obuci vozača, te Uredbom (EZ) br. 1071/2009 o uslovima za obavljanje djelatnosti drumskog prevoza.
Ukoliko je odgovor pozitivan, očekujemo jasan rok i preciznu proceduru primjene.
Ukoliko je odgovor negativan, poruka je nedvosmislena – da se namjerno potiskuju drumski prevoznici robe i putnika sa prostora Zapadnog Balkana sa tržišta Evropske unije.
Mi nismo pojedinci koji traže izuzetke – mi smo krvotok privreda naših država. Bez vozača i kabinskog osoblja, evropski i balkanski lanci snabdijevanja staju.
Naši vozači posjeduju profesionalne licence, periodičnu obuku, radne ugovore i vozila EURO 6 norme, u potpunosti usklađeni sa standardima Evropske unije.
Ipak, tretirani smo kao migranti, a ne kao profesionalci čiji rad svakodnevno obezbjeđuje transport hrane, energenata, lijekova i osnovnih dobara između EU i Zapadnog Balkana.
Zemlje regiona su potpisnice AETR sporazuma i u potpunosti usklađene sa relevantnim propisima EU. Uprkos tome, izostanak rješenja ugrožava funkcionisanje trgovine, logistike i ekonomija Zapadnog Balkana, te direktno remeti evropski integracioni proces.
Odbrojavanje je počelo.
Ako izuzeće i sistem dugoročnih radnih viza ne budu usvojeni, region neće imati izbora osim da brani pravo na rad, slobodu kretanja i održavanje lanaca vrijednosti koji su temelj evropske i regionalne ekonomije.
Apelujemo da se donese odgovorna, pravedna i održiva odluka – odluka kojom će Evropska unija pokazati da Zapadni Balkan nije prostor radne eksploatacije, već ravnopravan partner evropskog tržišta.
Sa poštovanjem,
UDRUŽENJA DRUMSKIH PREVOZNIKA ZAPADNOG BALKANA
Bosna i Hercegovina – Crna Gora – Srbija – Sjeverna Makedonija
LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
On the Status of Professional Drivers from the Western Balkans
To:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE)
Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME)
Brussels, Belgium
Subject: Request for exemption of professional drivers (cabin crew) from Schengen stay limits and introduction of long-term multi-entry professional visas
Dear Members of the European Commission,
We address you on behalf of the cabin crew – professional drivers and transport operators of the Western Balkans, who connect the markets of the European Union and our region on a daily basis, forming the backbone of Europe’s economic and logistics interconnection.
Our question is simple but crucial:
Will the cabin crew of road transport operators be exempted from the Schengen rules on stay duration?
If the answer is no, we respectfully request that the European Commission consider the introduction of multi-entry visas for professional drivers from the Western Balkans, valid for a period of five (5) years, allowing them to perform their work duties without being subject to the 90/180-day stay limitation.
This would acknowledge the reality of the profession – professional drivers do not reside within EU member states, but rather work across them, strictly in accordance with:
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the AETR Agreement (European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport),
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Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers, and
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Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 on the conditions for pursuing the occupation of road transport operator.
If the answer is positive, we request a clear timeline and implementation procedure.
If the answer is negative, it will unequivocally mean that road transport operators and professional drivers from the Western Balkans are being systematically displaced from the EU transport market.
We are not asking for privileges – we are defending the core of Europe’s supply chains.
Without professional drivers and cabin crews, European and Balkan economies would face immediate disruption in the flow of goods, including food, energy, medicine, and essential supplies.
Our drivers hold professional licences, valid CPC training certificates, employment contracts, and operate EURO 6 standard vehicles, fully compliant with European regulations.
Yet, they are treated as migrants rather than professionals who ensure the continuity of trade between the EU and the Western Balkans.
All Western Balkan countries are signatories of the AETR Agreement and are aligned with the relevant EU acquis.
However, the absence of a regulatory solution jeopardises trade, logistics operations, and the economic stability of the region, while directly undermining the EU integration process itself.
The countdown has begun.
If exemptions and long-term work visas are not adopted, the region will have no choice but to defend its right to work, free movement, and maintenance of value chains which form the foundation of both European and regional economies.
We appeal to the European Commission to ensure that during the London meeting of 22 October 2025, a responsible, fair, and sustainable decision is reached – a decision that will demonstrate that the European Union sees the Western Balkans not as a zone of labour exploitation, but as an equal partner in the European market.
Respectfully,
ASSOCIATIONS OF ROAD TRANSPORT OPERATORS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro – Serbia – North Macedonia
