Bulgarian Truck Drivers Give up Plans to Block Border with Greece Over Easter

Bulgarian truck drivers have reversed their plans to stage blockades at checkpoints along the country's border with Greece during the forthcoming Easter holiday.

The compromise was reached at a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minsiter Boyko Borisov, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski and representatives of road hauliers and tour operators held on Monday.

Borisov initiated the meeting after road hauliers had threatened to block the Greek border in response to the blockade staged by Greek farmers in February.

Speaking at a briefing after the meeting, Moskovski said that this will be the last compromise to be made on the part of road hauliers.

The truck drivers agreed to make concession in order for the border to function normally and allow Bulgarian and Greek citizens to travel freely.

On behalf of Borisov, Moskovski thanked the transport and tourism associations for reaching the compromise.

Representatives of the tourist and transport sectors have issued a declaration, which states that if Greece allows for any further illegal blockades to take place on the border with Bulgaria, the entire Bulgarian business will respond with retaliatory measures by blocking the border.

Borisov will have a conversation with Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov to summon the Greek ambassador and hand him the declaration by the end of the week in order to be able to inform the Greek authorities.

According to Moskovski, the EU should devise a mechanism which allows for intervention in such cases as these occur rather than months after these had happened.

It is expected that Bulgarian agricultural producers and livestock breeders will also join the declaration.