Greece Vows to End Blockade on Bulgaria Border by Weekend

Business | January 28, 2010, Thursday // 14:45
Greece Commits to End Farmers' Blockade on Bulgaria Border by Weekend: Greece Vows to End Blockade on Bulgaria Border by Weekend Bulgaria's Economy and Energy Minister, Traicho Traikov, received assurances that Athens will bring an end to the problem with the border blockade by Sunday. Photo by BGNES

Greece has made the commitment to solve the problem with the Greek farmers' blockades at the Greece-Bulgarian border.

The information was reported by Bulgaria's Economy and Energy Minister, Traicho Traikov, who held talks Thursday with the Greek Deputy Energy Minister. The two met during the Forum for the Organization of the Black Sea Business Collaboration, held in Bulgaria.

The Greek representative assured Traikov the blockades are issue number 1 for Athens because they too suffer huge losses from them and committed to bring a solution by the end of the week.

The Bulgarian Minister further informs that information about losses for Bulgarian businesses arrives non-stop and they are still estimated at EUR 3 M per day, without counting missed profits and companies that have not yet reported hardships.

The protesting Greek farmers continue the blockade at cross border points between Bulgaria and Greece.

Kulata-Promahon is closed Thursday for all tractor-trailers, only cars and buses are passing thorough. The border cross point has been closed for trucks since 10 am. The blockade was lifted overnight and 800 trucks have passed through between 10 pm and the morning closure.

The farmers also blocked Wednesday night the railroad halting trains between Bucharest and Thessaloníki. The Bulgarian State Railroad company, BDZ, informs trains are traveling from Bucharest to Sofia only. All passengers, who bought tickets to Thessaloníki, will be reimbursed by BDZ

The cross point Ilinden-Eksohi is closed for all traffic until 5 pm Thursday. After that only cars and buses will be let through.

The Greek farmers also blocked the Capitan Petko Voyvoda-Ormenion crossing point. Automobiles and coaches will be let through after 3 pm, border authorities inform.

The only open border point is at Zlatograd, but the road there is not accessible for tractor-trailers.

The blockade is well in its 11th day. According to estimates, Bulgaria's businesses loose at least EUR 3 M a day over the continuing protests.

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Tags: Greek farmers, Kulata-Promahon, Ilinden, blockade

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