Bulgarian Transport Minister is traveling towards the Kulata checkpoint at the border with Greece in order to hold talks with the protesting Greek farmers.

The farmers have staged blockades on crossings along the Bulgarian-Greek border in the past weeks.

Until now, Greek farmers have refused to hold talks with Bulgarian authorities, private bTV station informs.

On Friday, the passage of vehicles through Kulata was allowed between 9 and 12 o'clock (EET), with farmers staging a blockade at noon.

Greek farmers have been protesting against the suspension of subsidies and proposed social security reforms, which foresee increase of tax and pension contributions.

Throughout the week, Bulgarian authorities have repeatedly called on Greek officials to take measures against the protesters, who are violating fundamental principles of the EU such as the free movement of people and goods.

During his visit to London for participation in the “Supporting Syria and the Region” international conference on Thursday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov met with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras and called on him to intervene and end the blockade.

Earlier during the week, Borisov had a telephone conversation with Tsipras similarly urging him to take measures.

The transport ministry summoned the Greek ambassador to Bulgaria, while the foreign ministry called on the European Commission to address the issue.

Apart from the protests of farmers, which have closed the road network in Greece and border checkpoints with neighbouring countries, Greece was further paralysed by a general strike on Thursday.

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