The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications requested in a letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomatically secure a corridor for Bulgarian automobiles. The request is in relation to the information about the Greek farmers' intent to protest beginning January 15 by completely blocking the three border crossing points with Bulgaria. In the letter, it is also mentioned that the Bulgarian government respects the EU citizens' right to express their positions as well as the Greek farmers' right to protest but not when this protest violates the basic rights and freedoms of other EU citizens. If there is no adequate reaction from the Greek authorities, the Bulgarian government reserves its right to express its concerns in front of the European Commission. It will insist on the guarantee of the basic freedoms of the EU citizens and the initial principles of the Common Market along with all the consequences resulting from breaching them stated in the Council Regulation EC 2679/98 in relation to the free movement of goods among the Member States. If the three Bulgaria-Greece border crossing points are blocked, the biggest losses will be carried by the automobile industry in Bulgaria and the other Member States. Most of the cases involve the transportation of passengers who have set dates for travel to and from Greece or the transportation of perishable goods with set expiration dates. For additional information: Kostadin Vardev, Press Centre, Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Phone: 940 96 20 E-Mail: kvardev@mtitc.government.bg |