Transport operators block exit terminal at Horgos border crossing in protest against EU rules

HORGOS - Freight transport operators on Monday blocked both ramps of an exit terminal at the Horgos crossing on Serbia's border with Hungary in protest against the EU's Entry Exit System (EES).

The entry freight terminal will be blocked from midnight, a Tanjug reporter said.

Passenger traffic is unobstructed.

Speaking to Tanjug, freight company owner Karolj Bata said the blockade was a signal to the EU to change its Schengen area entry rules for professional drivers.

He added that the plan was to continue the blockade for seven days unless the situation was resolved.

He noted that many foreign drivers were protesting alongside their Serbian colleagues.

"There are foreigners here, too, including from Macedonia and Turkey. The terminal is getting full, and once it is full, there will be a queue on the motorway. By the way, queues also happen when there is no strike going on," Bata said.

On Monday noon, transport operators across the Western Balkans began a blockade of freight transport at 21 border crossings with Schengen area member states in protest against an inadequate reaction by the European Commission and the Schengen area states to the treatment of professional drivers and entry restrictions affecting their daily work activities.