Thursday, January 22, 2009

Greek farmers attempt to invade Bulgaria in protest, border blockaded

About 100 Greek farmers with tractors invaded Bulgaria's territory briefly at about 1 am Thursday close to the Kulata Border Crossing Point, the BGNES news agency reported.

Many of the Greek farmers are reported to have been drunk. Their group was accompanied by teams from three Greek TV channels.

The farmers advanced with 15 tractors through the bridge on the Bistritsa River close to Kulata. They were met immediately by the Bulgarian border police, and told them they wanted to enter into Bulgaria as part of their ongoing protests against falling commodity prices.

The Bulgarian border police swiftly created a barricade of portable crash barriers, and managed to stop the invasion. Additional border policy units were sent to the spot, and the Greek farmers were explained that in order to enter Bulgaria, they first had to go through the Greek border crossing point at Promahon, and then through the Kulata checkpoint.

The Greek farmers retreated at about 2:20 am. There had been no clashes between them and the Bulgarian border guards.

At about 2:50 Bulgarian border police officers met with the Director of the Police Directorate in the Greek town of Seres Brigade General N. Rizos, who assured them all measures would be taken to prevent the same from happening again.

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