Bulgaria asks EU to intervene on Greek farmers' protests

(SOFIA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov asked the European Commission Tuesday to intervene to end protests by Greek farmers that were blocking roads and border checkpoints between the two countries.

Borisov's press office said the premier had written to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to complain that the blocking of an internal EU border was "unacceptable" and breached "basic rights and freedoms of other EU citizens as well the principles of the common EU market".

Nevertheless, Borisov insisted he was not trying "to infringe in any way on the farmers' fundamental right to strike".

For the third straight day on Tuesday, angry Greek farmers blocked the main border crossings with Bulgaria at Kulata-Promahon and Ilinden-Exohi, stranding dozens of lorries on either side.

The eastern Kapitan Petko Voyvoda-Ormenion and central Zlatograd-Ksanti checkpoints remained open, but the mountainous terrain prevented trucks from using the latter.

The foreign ministry has already advised all Bulgarians against travelling to Greece this week.

In the meantime, the government sought to speed up customs procedures at checkpoints along the alternative route to Greece via Macedonia.

Greek farmers are protesting over a drop in prices for products such as wheat, cotton, milk and olive oil.

Border checkpoints remained shut for two weeks last year when Greek farmers staged similar protests.