The Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum, WB6 CIF, has sent a joint appeal to the European Commission (EC), calling for an urgent solution to difficulties caused by the application of the EU’s 90/180 short-stay rule to professional drivers in international road transport.
According to the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, the WB6 Chamber Investment Forum warns the consequences of these measures are raising serious concerns and could escalate into a systemic economic and political challenge for the region, potentially disrupting the flow of goods between the Western Balkans (WB) and the European Union (EU).
The appeal highlights the EU’s role as the region’s key trade and investment partner, with more than 60% of the WB’ total foreign trade conducted with EU member states. Road transport remains the backbone of supply chains, and the WB6 CIF estimates that around 370.000 companies are directly affected.
Business representatives caution that restricting drivers’ mobility through short-stay rules is already causing major disruptions in the transport sector, reducing available capacity and driving up costs — with negative consequences for both WB economies and the EU market. They also warn that border blockages can lead to fuel and food shortages.
WB6 CIF noted they had raised the issue with EU institutions nearly three years ago, but said the response at the time failed to provide an adequate solution, while conditions have since worsened.
WB6 CIF argued that the current approach contradicted the objectives of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, undermining efforts to integrate the region more closely into the EU Single Market. As EU candidate countries surrounded by EU borders, the WB should benefit from simplified and differentiated treatment under the Entry/Exit System (EES), reflecting their status as partners in the accession process, the appeal said.
They also propose that the EC introduces temporary measures allowing professional drivers to continue international road transport without disruption until a permanent and systemic solution is put in place, calling it a move in the shared interest of both the EU and the WB.
