Bulgaria’s Rudozem Border With Greece Stays Shut Despite Full Schengen Entry
Bulgaria’s Rudozem Border With Greece Remains Closed Despite Schengen Membership
Despite Bulgaria’s full membership in the European Union and the Schengen Area, the Rudozem border crossing with Greece remains closed to vehicle traffic. The closure, ongoing for four months, has triggered growing frustration among local residents and officials.
Protests Erupt Over Border Closure
On April 18, hundreds of residents from Rudozem and the Smolyan region protested the continued closure in an event organized by Todor Batkov, Fakti Bulgaria reports.
Protest participant Kostadin Kostadinov shared images on social media showing concrete barriers and metal grilles installed on the Greek side of the border, allegedly to block vehicle passage.
"In their desperation to stop Bulgarians, the Greeks have put up concrete barriers and doubled them with a metal grille. Well, they didn’t stop us. We jumped over them and entered Greece," Kostadinov stated.
According to reports, Greek police officers at the scene did not check the documents of those crossing on foot, consistent with Schengen rules, which allow nationals to cross borders freely by foot.
Accusations of Schengen Rule Violations
Kostadinov also criticized the fact that vehicular crossing is still prohibited, arguing it violates Schengen regulations that should allow unrestricted road crossings between member states.
The Rudozem border closure highlights a long-standing dispute. Known historically as the White Sea Pass, this border point has been closed for 81 years, despite promises made by Greece in 1996 to reopen it. In exchange, Bulgaria granted Greece access to the Mesta River’s waters, but the commitment to reopen the crossing has remained unfulfilled for nearly three decades.
Political Pressure Mounts
Kostadinov has vowed to continue pressuring the Bulgarian government to demand action from Greece.
"Next week, I will once again ask the government to put pressure on Greece to open the road it illegally closed," he said.
He compared the Greek-erected concrete barriers to a "miniature Berlin Wall," accusing Greece of using the border closure as leverage in resource negotiations over the Arda River.
Kostadinov also expressed frustration that the issue has not been formally raised before the European Commission, suggesting a lack of action from Bulgarian authorities in defending their Schengen rights.
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