Prime Minister of Serbia: Ministers Must Be More Operational; Time to Consider Government Reshuffle

"I believe it is finally time for accountability to be assessed based on how much one is engaged. But not only how much, but also in what way - whether one demonstrates responsibility through their behavior or actions. This must lead to considering a government reshuffle. I think it is time for this to be done periodically, and perhaps spring is the right moment to think about it",  Macut told RTS.

Analyzing the thematic government session on key strategic issues of the state, held on Sunday, Macut said that the session represented a snapshot of the situation, highlighting both current and future challenges.

When asked what he expects from ministers following the criticism voiced at the thematic government session, Macut said that everyone must be more operational and leave their offices, emphasizing that “the system must be reset” and that it is necessary to move out of a state of inertia.

How Long Will the Transporters’ Protest and Blockades of Road Freight at Schengen Border Crossings Last?

Transport operators from Western Balkan countries have begun blocking road freight transport at cargo border crossings with Schengen countries. Predrag Djurovic from MDT Sistem spoke about how long the protest will last, while the President of the Employers’ Union of Serbia, Nebojsa Atanackovic, explained how damaging these blockades are to the economy.

Transporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia blocked cargo border crossings with European Union countries at noon on Monday, in protest against the introduction of EES rules for entry and exit from these countries, restrictions on drivers’ stays within the Schengen Area, and the inadequate response of European institutions.

The blockades began at 21 cargo border crossings.

The European Commission announced that it is monitoring the situation involving transporters and is in contact with regional partners to resolve their issues.

Predrag Djurovic from MDT Sistem Transport reported from Presevo, speaking about how long the protest would last and whether transporters had been contacted in the meantime.

Speaking to Newsmax Balkans on the program "Open Your Eyes" (Otvori oči), he said that colleagues had blocked border crossings both on entry and exit points.

"Currently, kilometer-long queues are forming toward the exit from Serbia, that is, toward North Macedonia", he pointed out.

He noted that they have unofficial information indicating that work on resolving their problems has begun within the European Commission.

He recalled that the minimum conditions are firm guarantees that their drivers will not be expelled from the EU, as well as the initiation of negotiations aimed at finding permanent solutions.

"One of the solutions is the introduction of a driver visa for people who need to stay and work longer than 90 days within a 180-day period in the EU. We are waiting for a detailed proposal to see whether it will meet our drivers’ needs", Djurovic stated.

For months, transporters have been trying to obtain an extension of their stay in Schengen countries based on business needs, but without success. As a result, they began strikes at Schengen borders.

However, these blockades will also cause disruptions in the production of many companies that depend on raw materials from abroad, as well as those that sell their products in Schengen countries.

What this will mean for them and how much damage these blockades could cause was explained to Newsmax Balkans by the President of the Employers’ Union of Serbia, Nebojsa Atanackovic.

He stated that the entire economy would feel the impact of the blockades.

"We are not a country with alternative supply options other than road transport. Most transporters from Western Europe do not deliver goods to the Balkans due to long waiting times at the borders. Crossing Schengen borders is a major problem. A large number of trucks also come from Turkey", Atanackovic noted.

He expressed confidence that the European Commission would not allow the situation to continue, even though it initially showed little understanding.

"Transporters are requesting a minimum period of 105 days for business purposes, or the possibility of staying around twenty days privately. They would be satisfied if the permitted stay in Schengen countries were extended to 135 days, and I see no issue with granting some form of exemption. I believe that if they can prove they are engaged in this line of work, they could even be allowed to stay for an unlimited number of days,” Atanackovic concluded.

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