The Kulata-Promahon border crossing point between Bulgaria and Greece has been sealed off to all traffic by the Greek farmers' protests, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported on January 19 2010.

There is already a bottleneck of more than 20 lorries at the border according to reports. Overnight, about 80 vehicles were allowed to go through, including private cars and some lorries. According to the BNT, Greek farmers at Promahon were very "inconsistent" with their statements and "unreliable" in their actions because they would constantly change their mind as to whether they would allow traffic through.

Reports claim that they would initially allow private vehicles to pass, then they would permit lorries to pass as well, then they would change their minds and block all traffic.

Meanwhile, the situation at the Ilinden-Exohi border crossing point is reportedly the same as on January 18. All vehicles except those ferrying dairy products and other agricultural produce are allowed to pass.

According to Dnevnik daily, reports from Greek authorities suggest that the border crossing point at Zlatograd will probably remain operating on January 19.

However, motorists are advised to avoid travelling to Greece, because even if they do pass through the borders, they are likely to encounter blockades along the 11 major arteries which are also being sealed off for traffic.

In order to relieve the strain and facilitate the situation, the Bulgarian Frontier Police are working with Macedonian counterparts to ease traffic regulations along the Bulgarian-Macedonian crossing points.

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.