site.btaBulgarian MEP Raises Alarm over Blocked Bulgaria-Greece Border Crossing

The Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee in the European Parliament Ilhan Kyuchyuk has officially referred the issue of the fully completed Rudozem–Xanthi but still unopened border crossing to the European Commission, according to a press release from the MEP's office Tuesday.

Following Bulgaria's entry in the Schengen Area for land travel as of January 1, 2025, crossing between Bulgaria and Greece is supposed to be hurdle-free and without border controls but the Rudozem-Xanthi road remains closed due to unfinished use clearance procedures on the Greek side. That prompted protests by local people, who now have to use a road that is 70 km longer to go to Greece, and politicians threatened to break the fence.

He urges the EC to assess how the blockade of the new road section violates obligations under the Schengen Borders Code; analyze the lost benefits for transport connectivity, regional economic development, and road safety; take immediate action to remove the physical barriers and ensure real connectivity along the Rudozem–Xanthi corridor.

“It is unacceptable that in a united Europe and an expanded Schengen Area, fences are being erected where bridges of cooperation should stand. Bulgaria fulfilled its obligations months ago. I expect the EC to act quickly to guarantee the right to free movement for European citizens and goods,” Kyuchyuk stated.

On April 24, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov also commented on the issue. “The Government will insist before the Greek authorities that the crossing become operational at least for cars and tourist traffic no later than next year,” he said.