VTK BiH demands urgent state reaction: Transport is the lifeline of BiH, silence is not an option

(Patria) - The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina informed the public about the Chamber's activities to support the transport sector in BiH.

The reason for all this is the months-long story about truck drivers who have been complaining for months about violations of their rights and endless waiting at borders because the state has not regulated international regulations.

From VTK BiH, they say that all initiatives are clearly listed and presented on the website and are publicly available, showing their status.

Zijad Sinanović, Director of the Transport and Communications Sector of VTK BiH:

These are initiatives we have been working on for several years; we have covered initiatives since 2018, they are not just posted now, they have been continuously publicly posted and sent to members. In order for us to send that opinion to the competent authorities in BiH, there is a very clear procedure, the opinion of all carriers in BiH is collected when it comes to transport. The Board certainly considers that, regulations, amendments, etc. We cannot influence whether the initiatives will be adopted, except to have a clear and precise initiative and provisions. In 2018, the initiative was about the return of part of the excise duty on fuel in road transport, which is why an amendment was prepared. However, that proposal did not pass with the competent authorities in parliament. With these initiatives, we were very careful about the following: BiH has the lowest price of petroleum derivatives in the region, we are aware of the danger that if there is a drastic reduction in price, it could lead to problems. So in this case as well, in the neighborhood, fuel prices are higher by 80, 90 pfennigs compared to BiH, and businessmen from other countries are struggling. There is a series of by-laws that have been submitted, and it is not just about this. We are very often in a position to have to go ahead of the competent authorities in BiH. Because the goal is not media promotion, but solving the problems we have. One of the activities we are carrying out literally in silence is the use of smart tachographs. Now only vehicles registered in the EU use them.

Dragan Marić, President of the Association of International Road Carriers of VTK BiH (EUROPART HB d.o.o Mostar):

We have been launching various initiatives for a long time to try to solve as many problems as possible. Our association has been meeting with VTK and other associations for years and implementing initiatives, sending them to ministries. We have advocated so much all these years and we welcome all those who help us, many laws limit us, as much as anyone can lobby. If we shut this down, everything will stop. Blockades are not a solution, but if there is nothing else, then we will go into blockade. If the transport sector stops, everything will stop.

Saudin Parić, Vice President of the Association of Carriers in International and Inter-Entity Road Passenger Transport of VTK BiH (CENTROTRANS dd Sarajevo):

I also want to emphasize that we, as association boards, through VTK institutions, have submitted over 80 of our conclusions, initiatives and proposals to the competent authorities to solve our problems. They are clearly precise and defined and cannot be solved without institutions. We cannot be satisfied with the response of the federal and state institutions. There is a lack of good communication. The association board is always ready for constructive dialogue so that the institutions address these problems we have submitted.

Dr.sc Vjekoslav Vuković, Vice President of VTK BiH

We actually want to say that we are addressing the public, to bring this heated atmosphere to the point where the voice of those concerned is adequately heard. We are implementing a large number of EU directives that concern us. 73 percent of our goods go to the EU. Accumulated problems have come to the fore. The worst vertical that can happen is silence on the other side. We must take into account the fact that transport is the lifeline. We must not jeopardize either imports or exports. We simply have to reach a stage where we translate that understanding into a practical sense. We took the opportunity within the EU with Marta Kos to highlight the main problem of drivers' stay in the EU. The VTK BiH proposal was not to touch any directive, but to adopt a new directive. In this way, the stay would be calculated in hours and not in days (90 days X 24 hours is 2160 hours), which would significantly improve flexibility in international road transport. In addition, to proceed with the proper preparation of the calculation of time spent on the territory of the EU using the time units defined by the Schengen law until a permanent solution is ensured, i.e., the status of a professional driver identical to the status of airline and ship crews - without restrictions. Of course, these are not all the problems, colleagues talked about technologies and many things that need to be improved.

On the reaction of Minister Forte with carriers ahead of the blockades on June 16:

To specific ministerial names, I answer like this: we have definitely increased satisfaction with that communication. Now we are already quite constrained by European directives. So the ministers are now definitely taking certain measures. Perhaps with a delay. So we now feel that there is an additional pulse to solve everything within the realm of possibility. We cannot say we are completely satisfied. We are in contact and communication with the transport sectors, which are directly on the ground. There are segments where we can contribute through internal requirements in BiH.

On the announcement of blockades, the French model…

If it happens, whether it will backfire on the EU or on us, definitely on us. They will move on to another market. I hope these blockades will not happen. That is why let's start with small things that can be solved here at home. This is a dual communication in BiH and outside BiH in the EU. Let's go piece by piece and reach a solution. We are even talking with the EU Delegation to resolve everything.

(Hayat)