Kyrgyz long-haul truckers had previously expressed dissatisfaction regarding the arrests of drivers at parking lots and their subsequent deportation with a five-year entry ban. This is related to changes in Russia's migration legislation that came into effect on January 1, limiting the stay of foreign citizens in the country to 90 days per year.
In response to complaints from drivers from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the EEC reported that the length of stay restrictions would not apply to drivers of freight and passenger transport.
The EEC has established an operational headquarters that includes representatives of the commission, authorized bodies, and the business community of the EAEU countries. The headquarters collects data on migration processes related to international transport and forwards it to Russian authorities for the prompt resolution of emerging issues.
Following the meeting, the EEC appealed to the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia with a request to clarify that the applied norms are unacceptable for drivers from the EAEU, as well as to propose measures to restore the rights of those who have already faced administrative sanctions. A decision was made to create an operational headquarters under the EEC for quick response to incidents.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia expressed its readiness to promptly consider applications for specific cases if the information is provided in a timely manner. Transport companies in Kyrgyzstan are advised to check the length of stay of their drivers in Russia in advance to avoid possible violations of migration legislation.
In case of difficulties, freight carriers are advised to immediately contact the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic or the Association of International Road Carriers of the Kyrgyz Republic (AMAP KR).
