Bulgarians Warned against Greek Travels, Tension Escalates

Reflections are seen in the window of a tractor as Greek farmers block the entrance to the port of Igoumenitsa, northwestern Greece, with their tractors on 24 January 2010. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria's Transport Ministry has advised citizens not to undertake travels to Greece as protests by Greek farmers against falling subsidies entered a second week and their stand toughened.

“It is very likely that the Greek farmers will set up a new blockade on the border with Bulgaria, which is expected to be longer,” Minister Miroslav Naydenov said on Tuesday.

He stressed that farmers will continue their protests throughout Greece, determined to force the government to concede to their demands.

The minister confirmed that the losses of business that Bulgaria suffers are worth BGN 3 M per day.

Bulgaria is demanding compensation of EUR 10 M from its neighbor for the loss of business as a result of the farmers' actions along its southern border.

The Greek government has rejected the farmers' demands for financial assistance and defended its strict austerity measures. Fresh negotiations between he two sides are expected to take place in Athens over the next two days.

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