Čadež in Brussels: Improving Flow of Goods is Crucial for the Western Balkans and the EU

Marko Čadež, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, met today in Brussels with Tonino Picula, the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, to discuss issues hindering economic cooperation in the Western Balkans (WB). These include challenges related to the movement of goods, services, and people at border crossings with Croatia and the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija.

Čadež announced an initiative for EU rapporteurs for the WB to meet with Serbian and regional business leaders. The goal is to shift discussions from ideological debates to the real impacts of non-tariff barriers on the economies of the WB and the European Union.

“We addressed very specific issues we face at border crossings, including the transport of goods and necessary inspections, especially at crossings with Croatia,” Čadež said. He emphasized that these problems negatively affect trade and economic activity not only in Serbia but also in countries like Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, which rely on this transport corridor.
“This is becoming a major logistical issue. If 80% of Serbia's exports pass through the port of Rijeka to reach further markets, and there is no understanding from the EU about why improving the flow and transport of goods is essential, then this becomes a significant problem for European industry as well,” Čadež stressed.
He also highlighted difficulties at the Merdare administrative crossing, where out of a capacity for 300 trucks per day, only 45 are allowed to pass. This, he noted, causes substantial damage.
“Croatian manufacturers operating in Serbia, for whom Kosovo is a major market, face significant problems simply because some politicians fail to understand how the economy works. We sought to clarify what the real, concrete problems are and how we can address them together,” Čadež explained.
He added that European and Serbian manufacturers operate in Serbia, making it crucial to resolve these issues quickly through a meeting between WB officials and business leaders from Serbia and the region.
During his visit to Brussels, Čadež also met with Michael Gahler, a Member of the European Parliament, to discuss trade and transport issues in the Western Balkans.