BSEC-URTA President Eduart Kasa addressed critical issues affecting international road transport at the roundtable meeting.
President Eduart Kasa was a prominent speaker at a roundtable held during the IRU meetings on November 7, 2024, in Geneva.
In his address, Mr. Kasa provided a comprehensive overview of the development and advantages of the BSEC permit system. He highlighted BSEC-URTA’s initiatives to implement a One-Stop Shop, establish Green Corridors, and develop Ro-Pax lines while discussing significant non-tariff barriers encountered in the BSEC region and beyond.
Mr. Kasa underscored the importance of promoting facilitatory tools as logistics and trade confront non-tariff barriers. He remarked on unconventional practices, such as using unclean water to disinfect trucks at BSEC borders, outdated fuel measurement methods, and excessively long waiting times at Border Crossing Points. These issues are exacerbating the driver shortage, and limiting the stay of drivers during their profession complicates the situation.
Eduart Kasa urged relevant authorities to take immediate action to address these challenges jeopardizing international road transport, which threatens to disrupt logistic chains.
During the Roundtable and CAT meetings, BSEC-URTA consistently articulated these concerns within the global agenda.
Secretary General Mehmet Uylukcu asserted that they must be honored if society recognizes drivers as heroes for their contributions during pandemics, conflicts, and natural disasters. He noted that protectionism among various countries was a significant theme at the IRU General Assembly for the first time.
Deputy President Olivera Miovska cautioned against the ongoing driver visa dilemma, stating that imposing limitations on drivers’ duration of stay and adopting additional protective measures could severely undermine logistic chains, resulting in unforeseen ramifications for the global economy and Europe.
A quote from one of the esteemed speakers reflected the alarming situation for international road transport.
To find drivers, we began advertising driver job vacancies with a commitment that there would be no border crossings.
