site.btaBulgarian Farmers Block Border Crossing to Greece Over Traffic Rules

Bulgarian farmers blocked the Ivaylovgrad–Kyprinos border crossing with Greece three times on Monday, briefly stopping traffic for up to 30 minutes each time. They demanded that vehicles over 3.5 tons be allowed through, protest organizer Hristo Parasarev told BTA.

He argued that during peak harvest season the restriction prevents farmers from selling produce in Greece and also hurts tourism, since it applies to buses as well. The farmers said they have repeatedly requested full opening of the road after Bulgaria joined Schengen, but were told traffic rules are governed by a 2007 bilateral agreement.

They plan a full blockade of the border crossing on Sunday.