site.btaCounterblockade Closes Zlatograd Crossing on Border with Greece Indefinitely

Counterblockade Closes Zlatograd Crossing on Border with Greece Indefinitely

Smolyan, South Bulgaria, February 19 (BTA) - Bulgarian hauliers staged a counterblockade at the Zlatograd checkpoint on the border with Greece in response to the protesting Greek farmers blocking the border with Bulgaria. They said Zlatograd border crossing will be blocked indefinitely. Assen Vuzheliev of the Union of International Carriers (UIC) said that the protesting hauliers will not back down until the Greek farmers' strike is stopped. A line of waiting cars has already formed in front of the border crossing.

Traffic across the Zlatograd-Xanthi border crossing was stopped today by drivers who blocked the road with their cars. According to Vuzheliev's calculations, Bulgarian international hauliers have suffered over ten million leva in damages resulting from the Greek farmers' protest.

Zlatograd Mayor Miroslav Yanchev voiced his solidarity with the local business' demands, adding that he hopes the problem is solved as soon as possible. Zlatograd Municipality was informed by the UIC about their protest by a letter, which also states that the blockade will be indefinite until the Greek side frees the roads.