Bulgarian police are carrying out an ongoing bribery operation, which has seen them tightening controls to prevent human trafficking by land, and implementing construction works at the border with Turkey. More than 1,000 trucks have been waiting for days to cross through the Kapıkule Border Gate with Bulgaria to European markets, causing trade delays.
Some trucks in line have been waiting at the border gate since Sept. 30, with transport companies saying they are carrying goods worth more than $100 million. However, sector representatives have noted that there has been some easing in queues as of Oct. 4, following talks between the Turkish and Bulgarian authorities.
While Turkish trucks previously crossed to Bulgaria via two platforms, they can now do so only via one platform, as the Bulgarian authorities say newly-laid concrete has not yet dried on one of them.
In addition, police in other EU countries have recently tightened measures against human trafficking at borders, further exacerbating delays.
An ongoing bribery operation conducted by the Bulgarian police against customs officers has also slowed down border passes, according to senior representatives from the Istanbul-based, International Transporters Association (UND).
UND Executive Board Chair, Fatih Şener, said that the Bulgarian side now accepts around 18 vehicles per hour, down from around 60 vehicles in the past.
“While up to 900 vehicles were previously able to pass through the Kapıkule Border Gate per day, this figure has dropped to less than 600. This is the same at the Hamzabeyli Gate, another border gate opening to Bulgaria. We hereby call for help and support from Turkish officials,” he said.
Şener claimed that the daily passage capacity through the Kapıkule Border Gate could be increased to 3,000 vehicles, as the current capacity is not enough to meet the demands of either exporters and importers.
Şener also said that many tons of products with limited shelf life were set to spoil due to the delays.
Source: hurriyetdailynews.com
