Truckers from four countries in the Western Balkans on Monday began blockading cargo crossings at the EU's external border.

They are protesting the strict enforcement of EU rules that limit the number of days non-EU citizens can spend in the bloc's free-travel Schengen area: a total of 90 days in any 180-day period. 

This has a massive impact on the work of transportation companies: Due to long waits at borders and the time needed to load/unload cargo, drivers can easily exceed the 90-day limit, which can lead to detention, deportation and bans on entering the EU. This poses a major threat to the work of transportation companies and truckers. 

The truckers say they will continue their blockade until a solution is found that takes account of the realities of international cargo transportation.