In a declaration adopted on Friday, the Bulgarian parliament called on the European Commission to take immediate action, including launching an infringement procedure, against the Greek government for its failure to lift the border blockade staged by Greek farmers in the past month.

The MPs adopted the declaration unanimously, with all 186 lawmakers present in the plenary chamber voting in favour of it.

The declaration also calls on Greek authorities to take the necessary measures for restoring order and ensuring the free movement of people and goods across the border.

The MPs also urge Bulgarian authorities to continue their efforts on solving the crisis.

The parliament expressed confidence that the crisis will not lead to worsening of bilateral relations.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovki demands the blockade to be lifted completely and the agriculture machinery to be withdrawn.

Moskovski also called on Greek police to ensure that protesting farmers will not be able to return and stage a new blockade.

Protesting proposed increases to tax and pension contributions, Greek farmers have been staging blockades at checkpoints along the border in the past four weeks.

The tensions escalated on Tuesday, when Bulgarian truck drivers staged a counter-blockade after Greek farmers had failed to keep up to their promise to temporarily lift the blockade at certain hours each day to avoid the queuing up of trucks.

Bulgarian drivers gradually extended the counter-blockade along all six border checkpoints, closing the last two crossings – Ivaylovgrad and Zlatograd on Friday.

The counter-blockade is set to continue for an indefinite period of time and drivers are determined to stay at the border until Athens takes measures on ending the blockade.

Bulgarian authorities have repeatedly called on Greek officials and the European Commission to take measures against the blockade as it is violating fundamental principles of the EU such as the free movement of people and goods.

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