Košarac: Solve problems of domestic transporters, I call on everyone to do their job

(Patria) - "All competent institutions must provide maximum support to domestic transporters, who are facing a number of problems, the most pressing of which is discriminatory treatment regarding permitted stay in the EU. Our task is to protect the road transport sector, which is of exceptional importance for economic development in Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH", said the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Staša Košarac, today.

He stated that it is high time for the Ministry of Transport and Communications of BiH, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, and the diplomatic-consular network of BiH to seriously, responsibly, and studiously tackle the problems of domestic transporters.

"It is evident that past activities, if any, have been insufficient, inadequate, and have not contributed to improving the situation on the ground. It is unacceptable that the EU is grossly violating the Stabilization and Association Agreement and endangering the human rights of our transporters, the freedom of movement of people, goods, capital, and services, without adequate reactions from these two ministries.

The passive and unproductive attitude of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH and the diplomatic-consular network, as well as the Ministry of Transport and Communications of BiH, which to this day has not managed to secure institutional regional support and a common regional approach towards the EU to resolve the transporters' problems, is worrying.

On this occasion, I will reiterate my personal commitment and dedication to resolving the accumulated problems of domestic transporters, if they fall within the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry I head.

In this regard, today I asked the Director of the Veterinary Office of BiH to urgently provide me, within three days, with information regarding the allegations that at the Gradiška Border Crossing, as well as at other border crossings, there are multi-hour delays and that trucks with perishable goods and goods of animal origin are waiting for up to five hours.

We must determine whether the responsibility lies with veterinary inspectors due to potential negligent performance of duties or if the control is carried out according to the dynamics determined by the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH. In any case, my position is that both institutions must be allies to domestic transporters and do everything to facilitate their work.

I am a true ally of domestic transporters and I call on them to report any abuses or cases of negligent conduct by border veterinary inspectors without any fear. If there is even one case of negligent conduct, it must be adequately sanctioned.

I also want to point out the fact that in practice, Croatia has an unfair attitude towards our export-oriented businessmen, and that it often ignores delays at border crossings, protecting its own interests.

It is unacceptable that the Croatian side has an indolent attitude towards the problems of our businessmen, which threatens to become an open issue between BiH and Croatia, like the issue of building the disputed landfill at Trgovska Gora."