The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, has sent an official letter to the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in connection with the complicated situation at the border checkpoints between Bulgaria and Greece caused by blockades by Greek farmers.
The letter states that the strike actions are blocking key checkpoints and main transit corridors. Heavy goods vehicles waiting to cross into Greece are merging with queues of lorries bound for Türkiye, which in recent days has led to tailbacks of over 30 kilometres on the Maritsa motorway.
"This not only violates the free movement of goods within the European Union but also seriously hinders connectivity between Bulgaria, the EU, and third countries," emphasises Deputy Prime Minister Karadzhov in his letter.
He urges the European Commission to draw the attention of the competent Greek authorities to the fact that such actions violate fundamental EU principles. Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadzhov insists on immediate measures to enforce Regulation (EC) No 2679/1998, which obliges Member States to guarantee the free movement of goods and to prevent actions that threaten international transport.
"All necessary steps must be taken to prevent future blockades on key international road arteries and the border between Bulgaria and Greece," the letter from Deputy Prime Minister Karadzhov further states.