site.btaRoad Hauliers Say Politicians' Unanimous Support for Their Mobility Package Demands Has No Precedent

Sofia, May 12 (BTA) - Bulgarian road hauliers said in a statement on Saturday that their demands concerning the Mobility Package proposed by the European Commission have been supported unconditionally by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski and the whole executive government, as well as the National Assembly and the Bulgarian members of the European Parliament. The statement, released by the Union of International Hauliers, said that this firm support has no precedent.

After their meeting with Prime Minister Borissov early in the week, the hauliers are convinced that the government will use all available leverage to protect them. They cautioned politicians and public figures against using the matter for political squabble and urged them to stay united in their opposition to the restrictive proposals for new EU legislation on road transport of goods.

An upcoming protest of road hauliers which is planned to take place during the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia on May 17 will not be targeted against the Bulgarian government but against the proposals of some EU member states which can ruin the Bulgarian transport sector, the statement said.

It is feared that the proposed EU Mobility Package will increase the expenses of Bulgarian road hauliers and will thus undermine their competitiveness. This may put thousands of small and medium-sized Bulgarian transport companies out of business and wreck the whole sector. One particular objection is that a proposed requirement for drivers to take their prescribed weekly rest outside their vehicles will cost them additional expenses.

Bulgarian politicians are united in defending the interests of the country's road hauliers. On Friday, the National Assembly passed a resolution requiring the executive to take a firm stance in favour of the hauliers' demands. Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Borissov met with road transport operators, and Transport Minister Moskovski expressed the government's full support for their demands. The Prime Minister raised the issue with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in the sidelines of the Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Aachen, Germany. The Bulgarian members of the European Parliament have also spoken out.

On Saturday, Transport Minister Moskovski said in Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, that further negotiations are to be held in order to defend the interests of Bulgarian hauliers. He pledged full institutional support for them. According to Moskovski, Prime Minister Borissov will discuss the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron by telephone on Sunday, and talks with European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc will be held in Sofia on Monday.