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Sat, Feb 11 2012
Bulgarian lorries threaten to shut Greek border at Easter in retaliation
Photo: БТА
Bulgarian lorries are threatening to have the Greek border shut in the days around the Easter holidays if Greek farmers do not lift the blockade "immediately", Dnevnik daily reported on January 21 2010.
Bulgarian transport companies were incurring losses estimated at more than 150 000 euro a day while the Bulgarian economy was being hit with more than three million euro a day in losses, according to reports in Bulgarian media.
"If the Greeks don't lift the blockade by January 22, we will inform Prime Minister Boiko Borissov that we will have the border shut at Easter," Angel Popov, head of the National Carriers Union (NCU) in Bulgaria was quoted as saying by Dnevnik.
NCU deputy chairperson Krassimir Lalov said that when Greek farmers staged similar protests in 2009, which included similar border blockades, losses incurred by Bulgarian companies surpassed 10 million euro, receiving no compensation.
"Our patience is wearing thin. If this carries on, we will stage a blockade of our own," Lalov said.
Greek farmers have blocked the border checkpoints for a fourth straight day in January 21, staunchly refusing to give in to Greek government pressure and Bulgarian demands for them to clear out.
According to Ta Nea, Greek prosecutors have threatened action against the farmers, but that has not weathered farmers' enthusiasm and the traffic between Bulgaria and Greece is still severely obstructed.
Beyond the border, major roads in Greece remain blocked, while overnight the Koulata–Promahon border crossing was opened for 30 minutes, allowing only lorries with time-sensitive foodstuffs to pass through.
Central Greece, Thessalia, and the roads leading to the northern Greek port town of Kavala are also shut for traffic.
Bulgarian transport companies were incurring losses estimated at more than 150 000 euro a day while the Bulgarian economy was being hit with more than three million euro a day in losses, according to reports in Bulgarian media.
"If the Greeks don't lift the blockade by January 22, we will inform Prime Minister Boiko Borissov that we will have the border shut at Easter," Angel Popov, head of the National Carriers Union (NCU) in Bulgaria was quoted as saying by Dnevnik.
NCU deputy chairperson Krassimir Lalov said that when Greek farmers staged similar protests in 2009, which included similar border blockades, losses incurred by Bulgarian companies surpassed 10 million euro, receiving no compensation.
"Our patience is wearing thin. If this carries on, we will stage a blockade of our own," Lalov said.
Greek farmers have blocked the border checkpoints for a fourth straight day in January 21, staunchly refusing to give in to Greek government pressure and Bulgarian demands for them to clear out.
According to Ta Nea, Greek prosecutors have threatened action against the farmers, but that has not weathered farmers' enthusiasm and the traffic between Bulgaria and Greece is still severely obstructed.
Beyond the border, major roads in Greece remain blocked, while overnight the Koulata–Promahon border crossing was opened for 30 minutes, allowing only lorries with time-sensitive foodstuffs to pass through.
Central Greece, Thessalia, and the roads leading to the northern Greek port town of Kavala are also shut for traffic.
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Wow, the Greek politicians have really screwed over their people. There has to be a better way to deal with this than shutting down the border. It would be hysterical if Bulgarians shut down the border again, as it would hurt Greek tourism with all the Bulgarians traveling there to spend lots of Euros for the Easter holiday.
Peggy
It has nothing to do with either money nor principles
it has to do with politics and pressure.
Valeri
Thu, Jan 21 2010 20:14 CET
X,
because Greeks visit BG around Easter in huge numbers.
We may shoot ourselves in the foot, because they spend money.
==================
Valeri, is money more important than principle? Do you believe in what Bulgarian are doing or not?
According to you, from other posts around here, Bulgaria is so much more evolved than her neighbours so they obviously know what they are doing and this action is a demonstration of [...]
Read the full comment this evolution.
Why would you not support it?
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained off-topic content
the border should open. The greek farmers should simply ask the government to fire all public servants relevant to agriculture since they failed. Otherwise they should come down to athens and block all politicians in their houses.
"Greek" you are propably not a Greek but if you are i am very sorry for that and i apologize from behalf of my country.Bulgarians have every right to protest.I am a Greek farmer and i think this is wrong.The problems we have are huge but we know were the parliament is and we also know were our VERY RICH politicians live...
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained foul, abusive or discriminating language
Stage blockages but let traffic through as all that happens is get people off side...
Why are they blocking the border ? have I missed something.
I say close it please and let the Greek tourists stay in Greece!!A very nice idea indeed!!
X,
because Greeks visit BG around Easter in huge numbers.
We may shoot ourselves in the foot, because they spend money.
As regards the Greek farmers, serve the b*gg*ers right if the Bulgarians do it. I don't blame the Bulgarians at all; they have been provoked often enough by the Greeks.
a good idea. both BG and GR will suffer if it happens though i doubt it.
I wish this story would tell why blocking at Easter would be such a big deal too