Residents of the Municipality of Rundozem held a peaceful protest on Sunday for the continuing closure of the road at the border with Greece. The road has been under construction for many years and the locals hoped to open, as Bulgaria joined the Schengen area – a development that facilitates travel to and from Greece. The protest was caused when authorities also closed a forest path they often use.

Ceppini mayor, Riza Brahibasev, said the protest had no specific political orientation and was generally addressed to the Bulgarian authorities. He stressed that he had been sent to the Smolian regional governor to MPs in the Smolian province and to the mayors of the neighboring cities, but none of them went to support the protest mobilization.

“We are already in the Schengen area, but there are obstacles and restrictions on our free movement,” said one resident of the village of Elhovets. “This is the shortest way to Greece, we could reach the Aegean Sea in one and a half hours. This road could boost our economy, tourism and improve connections. Imagine, the mornings on the Greek coasts and the afternoons in the mountains of Pamporovo. “

Another resident added: “This road is necessary, it facilitates trade between Bulgaria and Greece and is the key to tourism. I have lived in Madrid for 21 years and crossed every European border without problems. Here, it continues to be as it used to be. We have been waiting for over 25 years. “