Greek farmers are set to close the Ilinden-Exochi crossing and other checkpoints on the border between Bulgaria and Greece on Monday amid continuing protests over the government’s plans for increased taxes and national insurance contributions.
Movement has been free both ways at Ilinden-Exochi since late on Sunday evening, border police say, but the crossing will be closed to all traffic at 10:00 local time.
At Kulata-Promachonas, the other major checkpoint, only cars and buses are currently allowed to move both ways.
Farmers demand that the government withdraw reform plans and put forward new proposals for social insurance and tax legislation.
There are kilometers-long queues of transit trucks, authorities in both countries say, with losses incurred by businesses yet to be calculated.
Bulgaria has informed European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc that the Greek protesters’ blockade is hindering the free movement of people and goods along one of the most important and busy Transeuropean roads, Corridor 4.
