BULGARIA’S MINISTER OF TRANSPORT SEEKS EU ASSISTANCE OVER GREEK FARMERS' BORDER BLOCKADE

Bulgaria’s Minister of Transport, Information Technologies and Communication, Ivailo Moskovski, requested assistance from the EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, in relation to the situation at the Bulgarian-Greek border, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport said on 9th of February.

In an official letter sent on 9th of February, Minister Moskov expressed serious concern of the Bulgarian side because of the continuing blockade on the movement of freight vehicles at the border checkpoints between Bulgaria and Greece.

The minister informed the EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc that the illegal actions at the border with Greece led to significant economic damages for the Bulgarian road hauliers. They owe indemnities in the form of penalties on contracts because of delayed deliveries of consignments. The blockade resulted in many losses to the Bulgarian road hauliers because in many instance they transported perishable goods with short shelf life and limited transportation period.

Minister Moskovski was firm that closures of the borders created serious obstacles for the free movement of goods and people and therefore Bulgaria urged for provision of at least one permanent transport corridor for the passage of Bulgarian lorries to and through the territory of Greece. He asked EU Commissioner Bulc for assistance to address the relevant Greek authorities about the situation and to focus the attention that it affected the fundamental freedoms of the EU citizens and the founding principles of the single EU market with all ensuing consequences for violators of these rules in accordance with the provisions of Regulation / EC / 2679/98.