Bulgaria's Transport Minister Alerts EC, Calls for Urgent Measures over Bulgaria–Greece Border Crossings Blockades by Protesting Greek Farmers

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov has sent an official letter to the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, regarding the deteriorating situation at the border crossings between Bulgaria and Greece caused by blockades by Greek farmers, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said on December 12.

The letter states that the strike actions are blocking key crossings and major transit corridors. Heavy goods vehicles waiting to enter Greece are merging with queues of trucks bound for Turkey, which in recent days has led to traffic jams exceeding 30 kilometres along the Maritsa Motorway.

“This not only disrupts the free movement of goods within the European Union but also seriously hinders connectivity between Bulgaria, the EU, and third countries,” Deputy Prime Minister Karadzhov stressed in his letter.

The Greek farmers’ protest has once again halted freight traffic through the Kulata and Ilinden border crossings.

Karadzhov called on the European Commission to draw the attention of the relevant Greek authorities to the fact that such actions violate core EU principles. He insisted on the immediate enforcement of Regulation (EC) No 2679/1998, which obliges member states to ensure the free movement of goods and prevent actions that threaten international shipments.

“All necessary measures must be taken to prevent future blockades on key international road arteries and at the Bulgaria–Greece border,” the Deputy Prime Minister’s letter concluded.