Fri, Feb 10 2012

Greek border blockade begins

Mon, Jan 18 2010 09:53 CET

byNick Iliev

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Greek border blockade begins

Photo: Assen Tonev

Border crossing points between Bulgaria and Greece are expected to close to traffic on January 18 2010 as Greek farmers' protests begin. Partial blockades were implemented over the weekend, Dnevnik daily reported.

The Greek farmers, who are protesting over subsidies, are set to seal off the Kulata-Promahon, Ilinden-Exohi and Captain P Voivoda-Ormenion checkpoints. Accordingly, the facilities will probably be closed to all traffic after 11am on January 18.

The Interior Ministry and the Frontier Police have all warned Bulgarian firms and citizens not to travel to Greece unless "absolutely necessary". The authorities say that any trips to Greece while the blockade is enforced are likely to result in "serious delays, traffic jams and substantial financial losses".

The first signs of the blockade started on January 15. The protest action was supposed to come into effect before the weekend, but at the time Greek farmers feared that the strike would be declared illegal and they would be arrested if they proceeded with their plans.

Concerning the protest, Bulgaria's Transport Ministry asked the Foreign Ministry to contact Greek authorities and "ensure that a free corridor would be left out for all Bulgarian vehicles".

As part of the request, the Bulgarian side acknowledged the right of the Greek farmers to protest and voice their discontent but only if that "does not violate the basic rights and interests of other European Union member states".

It has become apparent, however, that the Greek farmers will be reluctant to make an exception only for Bulgarian vehicles, thus authorities warn that the blockade will be enforced for all.

The industrial action comes amid the inauguration of the new border crossing point opened between both countries on January 16 at Zlatograd and Xanthi.

Greek daily Kathimerini said that more farmers from Serres were expected to descend on the Promachonas crossing on the border with Bulgaria from January 18, and that wider protests could follow in coming days as farmers stepped up their demands. The blockades are expected to last at least five days.

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Only the Zlatograd-Xanthi checkpoint was left spared by the Greek farmers' blockade on January 22 2010

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