Skopje, 21 January 2026 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski told a Parliament session on Wednesday he shares the view that the implementation of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) for transporters should be postponed. Nikoloski said during the opposition questions in Parliament that the Government aligns with the position of the Foreign Investors Council regarding the EES, noting that a meeting on the issue is to be held with Economic Chamber President Branko Azeski after the session.  

"I hope that joint pressure will give results. Also, the Government at its session yesterday tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to once again address the EU with a request to postpone these rules, so I hope this issue will be resolved. It is a huge issue, and it is a serious blow to the economies of the entire Western Balkans region," said Nikoloski. 

He noted that the issue has been on the table with the European Union for over a year, but to no avail. 

"I will convey the message that what they are doing would essentially mean death for the economy in the region, but it would also mean closure of numerous foreign investments that operate in the region, and come precisely from EU member states. I deliberately say from the region, because this applies to the entire Western Balkans, not just Macedonia," Nikoloski said. 

He pointed out that transporters cannot obtain work visas because they have no employer in a Schengen member state, and thus transporters only transit through the Schengen zone to reach the United Kingdom. There are numerous issues that arise, he added. 

In response to a question from opposition MP Mitko Trajchuleski, Nikoloski said he held talks on Tuesday with representatives of several sectors and businesses in the country, concurring that this would not only affect jobs that would be closed but would also affect companies, i.e. their operations.

Nikoloski added that the public should be aware that the region faces major challenges, which will severely affect the economy.

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