Bulgaria vows to combat mafia at its borders

On Thursday, the Bulgarian government announced its commitment to combat criminal organizations that exploit border traffic, which has negatively impacted the nation's reputation. Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev instructed the National Revenue Agency and the State Agency for National Security (SANS) to investigate companies managing buffer parking areas for trucks at the borders with Turkey and Romania. This decision follows complaints from Bulgarian transport organizations about the chaotic conditions at the borders, prompting neighboring countries to consider alternative routes to avoid Bulgaria. The issue of buffer car parks, controlled by businesses with questionable ties, has persisted for over a year without government intervention. Currently, truck traffic is redirected to paid parking areas, where drivers are charged €25, exacerbating the already long wait times of 20-30 hours. The police have not disclosed the reasons behind the installation of traffic lights that direct trucks to these paid areas, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. Industry representatives, such as Yoanna Lalova from the European Transport Cluster, criticized the government's failure to manage border traffic effectively, stating that the current system only worsens the situation. The lack of state oversight has allowed dubious business interests to dominate the management of border crossings, leading to significant delays and frustration among transport operators. As a result of these ongoing issues, Greece and Turkey are exploring alternative transport corridors to bypass Bulgaria, highlighting the urgent need for the Bulgarian government to address the chaos at its borders and restore confidence in its transport infrastructure.