Blockade at Bulgarian-Greek Border Checkpoint Temporary Lifted

The blockade at the Kulata checkpoint located on the Bulgarian-Greek border was temporary lifted on Tuesday evening to allow for the passage of the vehicles that have piled up on both sides of the border over the past days.

The queue of trucks on the Bulgarian side of the border has cleared, with passage allowed for all types of vehicles.

The agreement to restore traffic in both directions was achieved after talks between Bulgarian Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski, Deputy Interior Minister Filip Gunev, Deputy Foreign Minister Valentin Poryazov, governor of Blagoevgrad region, governor of Serres and and the director of police of Serres.

On Tuesday, Bulgarian truck drivers staged a counter-blockade, not allowing the passage of any vehicles coming from Greece.

Moskovski called on Bulgarian drivers to end the counter-blockade after Greek farmers had earlier agreed to remove their agricultural machinery.

The officials also discussed the option for the checkpoint to work without restrictions at certain time frames to avoid piling up of trucks.

Under the current arrangement, the blockade will be renewed once the queue of trucks has cleared.

According to the interior ministry, the Kapitan Petko Voyvoda crossing is functioning normally with all vehicles allowed to pass through it, while the Ilinden checkpoint remains closed.

Tensions at the border escalated after the continuing protests of Greek farmers who have staged blockades along the border with Bulgaria in the past weeks.

The Greek farmers have been protesting against the suspension of subsidies and proposed social security reforms which foresee the increase of tax and pension contributions.

Bulgarian authorities repeatedly called on both Greek officials and the European Commission to take measures and end the blockade as it is violating founding principles of the EU such as the free movement of people and goods.

On Tuesday, the European Commission responded that it does not have legal grounds to start infringement procedure or impose sanctions against Greece.

Blockades at the border are expected to continue hampering traffic as a general strike is scheduled in Greece on Friday.

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