Farmers’ blockade at border stoking tension in Bulgaria
The ongoing blockade by farmers of Greece’s border with Bulgaria is threatening to disrupt relations between the two countries.
Bulgaria’s parliament approved a resolution Friday seeking an intervention from the European Union to end the blockade at the Promachonas border crossing. The resolution was approved by all 186 MPs present and called on Greece to establish order and ensure free movement across the border.
On Thursday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed support for the counter-blockade organized by Bulgarian road haulage firms and accused Greece of not being a properly functioning state. All six crossing points along the 472-kilometer border were closed Friday due to the protests on both sides, leading to tailbacks of around 30 kilometers.
Greece’s farmers are due to meet with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday to discuss their objections to the government’s pension and tax reform plans.
