The technical group formed by EU ministers that is considering demands of transporters from the Western Balkans held a meeting last week, but a decision hasn’t been made, the EC has confirmed.
“Participants discussed the different options at our disposal in view to ensure the full implementation of the Entry and Exit System. In this context, the Western Balkans’ partners are encouraged to make use of the provisions for long-term visas and residence permits or the flexibility foreseen under Schengen rules, notably as regards the rules for cross border workers. And all of this in close collaboration with neighboring Schengen states”, Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said on Monday, adding that another meeting was planned the week of the February 23.
According to Makam-trans, the EU hasn’t rejected demands by transporters. Biljana Muratovska of the association told Kanal 5 that the new Visa Strategy now needed to be passed by all Schengen countries, while, currently, a solution to the transitional period issue was being sought. She expects a concrete proposal in the next two weeks, when the next meeting will be held.