Peulić: Forto is to blame, we don't know whose side he is on, we are with 47,000 people and the state

(Patria) - There are long lines of trucks at the entrances to Sarajevo, and each of them says “enough is enough”.

The drivers are saying they will stay here day and night until their demands are met. They are saying that the authorities have been playing with them and deceiving them for a long time, and the main culprit in their eyes is the Minister of Transport and Communications of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Edin Forto, who they claim has not met with carrier representatives for 70 days. They say they will not move until that changes.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Transport and Communications claims that they understand the frustration of the carriers, but that what was supposed to be done by this ministry has been done or is in procedure, and that meetings with carriers have been held regularly, with one such meeting on August 14.

There are no incidents for now.

Representatives of the Logistics BiH Consortium have also addressed the public.

Velibor Peulić, representative of the Logistics BiH Consortium, explained that the truck drivers have contacted every party participating in the BiH Parliament, sent letters, and have not received any answers.

- At the last plenum session, we decided to suspend our supply chains starting today. We hoped it wouldn't come to this today. We have the support of carrier associations within the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, and carrier associations from FBiH and RS. Stop arresting us in the EU, every driver in BiH is properly employed, and we hope that the agreement between BiH and the EU will prove this. It gives us the right to conduct business in the territory of the EU. We have always had good cooperation with the European Commission. We have court rulings from Austria stating that drivers from BiH are right and that we can freely stay in the territory of the EU. Today we have a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konaković. We want equality with our colleagues from the region, we don't want an "absurdistan". We also demand an improvement in the condition of roads in BiH and greater safety. Do you want us to go to leasing companies, sell our vehicles, and go to other countries to work? - stated Peulić.

He did not specify how long the protests and transport blockades would last, but he emphasized that the situation could normalize as soon as Minister Edin Forto changes one regulation.

- We don't know whose side he is on, we are on the side of 47,000 people and the state. The center of excellence is becoming a transport company, where concrete work is done - that, among other things, should be written in the new regulation that we are asking Minister Forto to change - concluded Peulić.

The Logistics BiH Consortium began its "Protest until demands are met" across the country on Monday, September 1, starting at 6 AM. The Consortium's demands are the elimination of discrimination against drivers in the European Union - respect for the AETR agreement, fulfillment of MKT BiH's promises - changes to regulations within its jurisdiction, financial relief for carriers - return of 50 percent of excise tax, 50 percent discount on tolls, and exporter status for services, as well as speeding up border crossings, inspection, and customs procedures.

The carriers said that during the protests, their supply chains would be suspended, from local communities to border crossings.

Otherwise, by blocking part of the M-5 Lašva - Travnik main road in Kaonik, Busovača municipality, blocking the entrance to Vitez near the former Impregnacija and the village of Okuka in Travnik municipality, as well as part of the Donji Vakuf - Bugojno road, at the very entrance to Bugojno leading towards Kupres, truck drivers from the Central Bosnia Canton joined the protests. During the blockade, emergency vehicles, passenger vehicles, and public transport are allowed to pass.

None of the drivers, who blocked the road with their trucks, and who are mostly owners of Croatian passports, wanted to appear on camera, but off-camera they say that this is their solidarity with colleagues who have problems due to possessing Bosnian and Herzegovinian passports, and they earn the same living. In a telephone conversation, several company owners from this canton confirmed to us that in sign of support, they had suspended planned deliveries of goods today.

The Rača border crossing, one of the key terminals for freight traffic to Serbia, is also blocked. Carriers emphasize that their goal is the fight for the dignity of workers and the survival of the sector, and they call for understanding from citizens.