Skopje, 30 January 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told journalists Friday he expects the issue with the transporters to be overcome at a scheduled meeting in Brussels with ministers from the six Western Balkan countries next week. Mickoski stressed the importance of a joint diplomatic offensive with the countries of the region and the fact that the European Union has recognized the issue.

“This issue is one of the many issues inherited from the past. The important thing is that we had a diplomatic offensive, together with the countries of the region, and the issue has been recognized. There are several possible solutions and I expect a solution to be catalyzed that will help overcome this problem. But the problems don’t end here – the quotas on steel are next. So, the problems are continuous, they are there, and they will be resolved,” Mickoski said, adding that he expects the issue with the transporters to be overcome next month.

Ministers from the Western Balkan countries and representatives of the European Commission will meet on February 3 to discuss the issue concerning truck drivers from the region entering the Schengen Area.  

Transporters from North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina began a blockade of the freight border terminals towards the Schengen area on January 26 to protest the EU's Entry-Exit System (EES), claiming that due to the new rules they face economic damage and deportations.

Photo: MIA