Skopje, 23 January 2026 (MIA) - Commenting on the new Entry/Exit System (EES) rules for professional drivers in the Schengen area countries, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski said concerns have been voiced regarding the issue for over a year, adding that it is a huge economic problem which could trigger a complete meltdown of the Macedonian and regional economy. He noted that although talks have been ongoing with EU representatives, efforts were so far to no avail. 

He pointed out that this was a major issue because it will affect the transport sector in the entire region, in addition to export-oriented companies. For now, he said, there is no response, but the Government fully understands the transporters and the announced blockades at the border crossings with Schengen countries. 

"Associations of professional drivers from Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina have announced a seven-day protest at the border crossings with Schengen countries starting Monday. This is a huge economic problem which could trigger a complete meltdown of the Macedonian and regional economy because our economies are small and mainly export-oriented. The entire production of the companies in the Technological Industrial Development Zone (TIDZ), where most of the people in Macedonia work and which brings the largest foreign exchange inflow - one hundred percent export, most of the domestic companies that are export-oriented, but if they cannot export, then the economic activity stops. On the other hand, if transportation becomes more expensive by 3 to 5 percent, then they become uncompetitive on the European market," Nikoloski said in an interview with Radio Lider.

Although talks have been ongoing with EU representatives, he noted, for now they remain committed to implementing the new entry rules for transporters as well. 

"In December, I had a heated exchange of arguments with EU authorities, in Brussels. Unfortunately, my efforts were to no avail, and these radical measures are the only way to attract attention. The Government and I fully understand the Macedonian transporters, we understand their revolt, and we support their demands. This problem really needs to be resolved by postponing the EES for professional drivers or finding a way for them to obtain work visas, the EU should resolve this. I don't think they understand in the EU what this means for the Western Balkan countries. It is a matter of classic bureaucracy, complete ignorance and lack of attention to the problem," Nikoloski pointed out. 

Photo: MIA archive