Balkan truck drivers blockade border crossings over EU travel restrictions

Truck drivers from several Balkan countries have blocked key border crossings into the Schengen Area, protesting the European Union (EU)'s strict entry and stay rules for non-EU nationals.

Drivers from countries including Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia have parked their vehicles at Schengen border checkpoints to stage cargo blockades against the EU's entry-exit system, which is set to be fully implemented on April 10, and against the travel limits on how long non-EU nationals can stay within the Schengen Area.

"This will have a devastating impact. Under the rules, drivers are allowed to stay in the EU for no more than 90 days within a six-month period. If we stayed for more than 90 days, we would face fines and a ban from entering the EU for three months. We are not tourists. We work to support our families, and once the job is done, we just want to go home as soon as possible," said Cedomir, a truck driver.

The EU entry-exit system will digitally record the entry and exit data of all travelers from non-Schengen countries, aiming to streamline border control and strengthen the identification and return of irregular migrants.

Truck drivers said because of their work, they have to enter and exit the Schengen Area frequently, and the newly-introduced system will have an impact on their work.

"For drivers like us who are not from the EU or the Schengen Area, the situation is really bad. We are being treated like tourists facing travel restrictions, but in fact, we are transporting goods for the EU. We're working," said Zoran, another truck driver.

On Thursday, the European Commission -- the executive arm of the 27-nation EU -- proposed a new visa strategy, saying it would explore practical extended short-stay scheme for cross-border workers and consider introducing new legislation.

Following the EU's response, drivers from Montenegro and North Macedonia have suspended their protests. Transport sectors in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also set to hold meetings to decide whether to end their protests.

The Schengen area covers a population of almost 420 million people and includes 29 countries. These include most EU members and all members of the European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Balkan truck drivers blockade border crossings over EU travel restrictions

As China and Bulgaria pursue stronger bilateral relations, cultural diplomacy plays a crucial complementary role to formal engagements, fostering genuine friendship between the two peoples, Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG).

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday, the president shared her personal interest in Chinese culture, and emphasized the importance of promoting bilateral cultural exchanges.

"We have a strong interest in Chinese culture. Speaking of myself, I have been fascinated by traditional Chinese tea culture for many years. Since the establishment of the Chinese Cultural Center in Sofia, they have given me great support in this regard by providing reading materials and organizing tea ceremony events, allowing me to experience it firsthand. I sincerely invite you to visit our country. I can even arrange for you to take part in a news program, where you can co-host events and interview political figures together with Bulgarian journalists, if you are willing," said Iotova.

"I hope you can immerse yourself in Bulgaria's rich folk culture and see the vivid humanistic heritage of our country. As you know, culture is key to what we call 'soft diplomacy,' and it is extremely important. When the 'doors' of diplomacy in other fields are closed, cultural diplomacy often manages to open many 'windows,'" she added.

Cultural diplomacy opens windows for people-to-people exchanges: Bulgarian president