Drivers are the sole pillar of the economy: When will Croatia also abolish police escorts for convoys?

(Patria) - Due to the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 illnesses, countries are taking appropriate unilateral measures to bring the situation under control as much as possible. Thus, at the level of the European Union and the Western Balkans, all activities have been undertaken to exclude international road freight transport from measures and restrictions, in order to at least slightly mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic by supplying goods in this way during such a difficult situation.

For these reasons, the Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vojin Mitrović, issued an appeal, i.e., a request to the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the abolition of police escorts and convoys in international freight transport, taking into account that three international border crossings between the two countries have been designated for international transit freight transport through the territory of the Republic of Croatia by a decision of the Crisis Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia.

In his letter, Minister Mitrović informed the Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia, Oleg Butković, that the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Joint Proposal prepared by the Joint Secretariat of the Transport Community and the Secretariat of CEFTA with the aim of facilitating the transport and trade of essential goods with the Western Balkans, in accordance with point 15 of the European Commission Communication of 23 March 2020.

Drivers are the sole pillar of the economy in this extremely difficult situation, and above all, they need to be enabled to carry out their exceptionally hard work with dignity under these circumstances.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina has also actively become involved in resolving the emerging issues with the aim of normalizing the situation. 

Namely, due to the decision of the Republic of Croatia to continue organizing police escorts and convoys, businessmen and carriers from Bosnia and Herzegovina engaged in international road freight transport are still facing major delays and waiting times, as are carriers from other countries transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We remind you that Serbia completely abolished police escorts and convoys in international freight transport yesterday, following an appeal by Minister Mitrović.