On 18th of February, no vehicles are allowed though the checkpoints Kulata, ilinden, Kapitan Petko Voivoda and Makaza along Bulgaria’s border with Greece. The only option for the Bulgarian drivers to return to Bulgaria is to pass through Macedonia. The...
On 18th of February, no vehicles are allowed though the checkpoints Kulata, ilinden, Kapitan Petko Voivoda and Makaza along Bulgaria’s border with Greece. The only option for the Bulgarian drivers to return to Bulgaria is to pass through Macedonia. The Bulgarian road hauliers are firm that unless the Greek farmers lift the blockade, they will not retreat.
Bulgaria-Greece border has been blocked from both sides since the evening on 17th of February – by the Greek farmers on the Greek side and by the Bulgarian drivers and road hauliers on the Bulgarian side. Representatives of the Bulgarian Red Cross are on the way to the border do deliver food and water to about 500 drivers. Minibuses were provided to transport drivers from the border to the interior of Bulgaria so they can buy some food and water.
Bulgaria’s minister of transport, Ivailo Moskovski, met on 17th of February with representatives of the Greek authorities in order to negotiate opening of the borders, but the talks led to no effect. After the failed negotiations, Minister Moskovski said he fully supported the protest and the counteractions of the Bulgarian drivers.
Minister Moskovski also commented that the direct losses for the economy and business are 300-400,000 euro per day, but for sure the indirect losses are huge.
The drivers are firm that they will stay as long as necessary, even if they have to stay until Easter.