Clashes between Farmers and Police Expected on Bulgaria-Greece Border

Society | August 9, 2008, Saturday // 00:00
Clashes between Farmers and Police Expected on Bulgaria-Greece Border: Clashes between Farmers and Police Expected on Bulgaria-Greece Border The Chair of Bulgarian Milk Producers' Association Adrian Tsakonski said he expected violent clashed between farmers and border polices units at the Bulgarian-Greek border. Photo by Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)

The Chair of the Association of Milk Producers Adrian Tsakonski announced Saturday border police units were being amassed at the Bulgarian-Greek borderline to prevent farmers from crossing into Greece with their herds, which could lead to violent clashes.

Earlier on Saturday several farmers from Bulgaria's southern Kurdzhali District set off with four flocks of sheep in order to relocate to Greece.

Fifteen more farmers from the Stara Zagora District further north are expected to follow suit.

In their words, the farmers were utterly frustrated with the incompetence of the Bulgarian government, and hoped to get better treatment in Greece.

Over the past, the milk producers staged protests blocking roads all over the country demanding higher agricultural subsidies. They have called off their protests for the weekend but will most likely resume them on Monday.

"It would be better if we get rejected in Greece than if we are kept here by force. We have no chance of having a normal life here in Bulgaria", Tsakonski stated.

Meanwhile, it became clear that the farmers from the northwestern District of Vratza were expecting the Chair of Romania's Association of Milk Producers to join the national protest rally in Sofia on Wednesday.

They have declared their intention to discuss with him the possibility of relocating their herds to Romania, and to work there, not unlike their colleagues in southern Bulgaria, who are heading for Greece.

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