Disgruntled Bulgarian Truckers Blockade Turkish Border Again

Protesting Bulgarian truckers staged on May 9 a blockade at Kapitan Andreevo on the Turkish-Bulgarian border. File photo by BTA

Bulgarian tractor trailers will blockade the Kapitan Andreevo-Kapakule border crossing point between Bulgaria and Turkey on the Bulgarian side for the second time in just days.

Drivers and truck owners are protesting the hurdles for their business on the other side of the border and unfair competition. They complain from unfounded restrictions such as not allowing into Turkish territory trucks carrying over 500 liters of fuel or making drivers wait at the Turkish border for days.

During the previous blockade on May 9 only cars were being let through the checkpoint now.
The Interior Ministry informed the blockade was unauthorized and as hundreds of trucks from all over the country kept arriving, the line was growing longer.

One of the company owners, Georgi Donchev, told the Bulgarian national radio that the Bulgarian State must do something to protect their business and income as they provide jobs and have families to feed.

Donchev informed that he has access to a letter signed by the Turkish Customs Chief asking subordinates to conduct stricter checks of foreign vehicles, particularly Bulgarian ones. He added that drivers are often forced to resolve their problems though bribes.

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