Skopje, 29 January 2026 (MIA) - Macedonian transporters are set to end the blockades of the freight border terminals at 8 pm on Wednesday, the association of transporters "Makam-Trans" decided at a meeting this afternoon, after the European Commission decided to adopt a new visa strategy resolving the issue of protesting truck drivers, regarding stays within the Schengen area for 90 days within 180 days.  

Following this decision, freight traffic will be normalized at the border crossings Deve Bair, Delchevo, Novo Selo, Dojran, Bogorodica, Medzhitlija, Kjafasan, Blace, Blato and Stenje for entry and exit from the country after almost four days of blockades.

"Makam-Trans" said in a Facebook post that transporters are lifting the blockades because the EU's decision has confirmed their expectations for change. The association thanked everyone who has tirelessly provided support and stood in solidarity with the truck drivers in recent days.

"Your unity and perseverance gave results. According to the official post from the Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, the European Commission has decided to adopt a new visa strategy resolving the issue of professional truck drivers, regarding stays for 90 days within 180 days. Since our expectations for change have been confirmed, we inform you that the protest organized by the "Makam-Trans" association at the border crossings Deve Bair, Delchevo, Novo Selo, Dojran, Bogorodica, Medzhitlija, Kjafasan, Blace, Blato and Stenje will end as of tonight, January 29, 2026, at 8 pm for entry and exit from the country. We are especially grateful to all media outlets, news portals that made our fight visible to the whole of Europe. We are stronger together!," said "Makam-Trans". 

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.  

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski wrote in a social media post earlier on Thursday that Brussels is set to adopt a new visa strategy resolving the issue of protesting truck drivers who have been blocking border crossings towards the Schengen area for four days. 

“I just received excellent news from Brussels related to the huge problem of the transporters from Macedonia. Our positions have been accepted. The truck drivers have been included as professionals. That is what we were seeking. After the protests and the strong offensive over the past period, Brussels is set to adopt a new visa strategy that will resolve the issue that professional truck drivers were facing,” Nikoloski wrote in a post on his official Facebook profile. 

Photo: MIA