site.btaParliament Adopts Declaration Against Greek Farmers' Blockades of Bulgarian-Greek Border

Parliament Adopts Declaration Against Greek Farmers' Blockades of Bulgarian-Greek Border

Sofia, February 19 (BTA) - The National Assembly Friday adopted a declaration reading that it does not accept the blocking of the border crossings on the Greek side. The declaration, which was prompted by the deepening crisis at the Bulgarian-Greek border caused by protesting Greek farmers, was supported by all the 186 MPs present and voting.

The National Assembly calls on the Greek authorities to undertake the necessary measures for introducing order and ensuring the free movement through the border. Parliament insists that the responsible Bulgarian institutions continue their efforts aimed at solving the crisis bilaterally, and that the European Commission, as a custodian of EU treaties and an institution monitoring their implementation, immediately take a position on the case, including by initiating an infringement procedure against Greece. The Bulgarian MPs express certainty that the Greek side will not allow the crisis to lead to the bilateral relations' worsening.

Transport, IT and Communications Minister Ivaylo Moskovski asked the MPs to support the declaration so that they can defend Bulgarian and many European hauliers, who are affected by the blockades at the border. He said he firmly supports Bulgarian hauliers and will defend their rights and demands. Greece has violated the EU principle of free movement of persons and goods, he noted. "They are brutally mocking nearly 5,000 trucks. The Greek farmers' behaviour is outrageous, there are acts of drunken behaviour daily, they purposefully challenge our hauliers," Moskovski said. Against this background, drivers on the Bulgarian and Greek side are in a disastrous situation, he added.

Valeri Simeonov (Patriotic Front) proposed the inclusion into the declaration of a text reading that Parliament understands the difficulties of Bulgarian hauliers and does not reprove their counter-actions. This proposal was rejected.

Krassimir Karakachanov (Patriotic Front) said that certain classes and political formations in Greece dare to solve internal political problems by causing damage to hundreds of Bulgarian citizens.

Ilian Todorov (Ataka) said that the declaration has a wishful character only. This crisis shows that the EU does not work, he noted.

Stanislav Ivanov (GERB) said that the blockades at the Bulgarian-Greek border are a tragedy for the EU as a whole. Dimiter Tanev (GERB) noted that the farmers' protests are funded by the Greek authorities.

According to Aliosman Imamov (Movement for Rights and Freedoms), a lasting solution to the problem should be sought, such as the construction of Transport Corridor 8.

Kristian Vigenin (BSP-Left Bulgaria) proposed that the Greek side should be contacted for the reaching of a lasting agreement so as to prevent such blockades from happening again next year. It is not possible two friendly neighbouring countries to be subjected to such actions by groups of protestors, he added. According to Socialist PM Valeri Zhablyanov, the problems stems from Bulgaria's inconsistent and unclear foreign policy.

Rosen Petrov (Bulgarian Democratic Centre) asked why the Greeks block the Kulata-Promachonas checkpoint instead of the port in Thessaloniki, for example.

Georgi Kyuchoukov (ABV) said that the declaration should show that the MPs are nationally responsible.