Bulgarian Drivers Continue Counter-Blockades Along Border with Greece

Bulgarian truck drivers are continuing the counter-blockades at checkpoints along the border with Greece.

Tensions at the border have been running high in the past four weeks as Greek farmers have been protesting against planned increases of tax and pension contributions by staging blockades.

On Tuesday, Bulgarian drivers staged a counter-blockade after the Greek farmers did not keep to their promise to temporarily lift the blockades at certain hours in order to prevent the queuing up of trucks.

Bulgarian drivers are determined to stay at the border until Greek authorities solve the problem completely.

They are to stage the counter-blockade for an indefinite period of time, allowing only the passage of vehicles transporting small children.

Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski has expressed support for the Bulgarian drivers and called on them to continue the counter-blockade.

On Thursday morning, Moskovski said that there have been no positive developments as regards the blockade, saying that Greece had failed to fulfill its commitment to temporary lift the blockade.

At present, Kulata, Ilinden and Kapitan Petko Voyvoda checkpoints are closed to all vehicles, with the remaining three crossings to be gradually closed.

On Wednesday, Moskovski failed to reach an agreement with Greek officials and protesting farmers, reminding that the latter had failed to fulfill their commitment.

The transport minister expressed hope that the EU will soon intervene as trucks from more than ten countries have been affected by the blockades.

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