Skopje, 27 January 2026 (MIA) - Economic losses from the blockades at the borders with Serbia and North Macedonia will be very large for all countries, not only for Bulgaria, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov told journalists during the Sofia Economic Forum on Tuesday, BTA reports. 

Karadjov added that "such blockades, apart from violating some of the fundamental rights - the right to free movement and the right to the free transport of goods, lead to very serious economic consequences, not only for the transport sector, but for all other economic sectors that depend on deliveries", and usually don't lead to resolving the problems. 

"It is better to sit down and talk with the institutions, in this case, the European institutions. Neither the government of Bulgaria, nor that of any other EU Member State, has anything to do with this decision. That is why it is right to engage in dialogue with the European institutions and seek a mutually beneficial compromise. There is no need for the countries themselves - Serbia and North Macedonia, and their economies to suffer just as much as ours, punishing each other in this way," said Karadjov.

Noting that ministers in European countries participate in various formats on transport-related issues, he said that what they can do is call on the European Commission to start negotiations with the two countries as soon as possible, while borders are opened until a solution is found. Bulgaria alone, he pointed out, has no right to take such decisions. 

Karadjov added that he would extend requests to his counterparts to open "time windows" at the borders with Serbia and North Macedonia, but expressed doubts that such an option would be realized. 

Transporters are blocking the freight border crossings for a second day as part of a joint protest by truck drivers from the region in demanding a solution after the electronic entry and exit check system (EES) will be enforced as of April in the Schengen zone in line with the 90/180 rule. 

Photo: MIA archive