Bulgarian Hauliers to Stage Peaceful Protest at Kulata Border Crossing Monday

Hauliers from across the country are staging a peaceful protest Monday, 29^th of May, at Kulata border crossing (Bulgarina border with Grece), the Union of Bulgarian Transport Workers said on 26^th of May. They insist that border authorities improve the organization at the checkpoint as quickly as possible and that the clearance of heavy goods vehicles get faster. Now, due to various inspections that take place at Kulata border checkpoint, carriers have to wait for hours to cross the border.

The specific demand of the hauliers is to reduce the cross-border queues and the waiting time. They say that at present the queues extend to the interior of Greece and are about 6-7 km long. Hauliers demand that checks at the border take less time.

A reason for the delays at the moment is that one of the lanes is in repair. It is being overlayed with asphalt and the lorries need to wait to get to the only working lane.

Hauliers hope that at the meeting with representatives of the Customs Agency and the border authorities on 29^th of May, they will discuss the situation, the problem will be solved and no extreme action will be necessary. They are currently protesting by horn blowing, but say it was of no avail.

The Union of Bulgarian Transport Workers said they had the inclination to declare civil disobedience and to block the road, but insisted on dialogue, peaceful resolution of the problem, and clear deadlines and measures to ease the movement of vehicles at the border crossing.

Carriers claim they lose time and money.