A new border crossing point between Bulgaria and Greece, near the Bulgarian town of Zlatograd, should open as early as this winter, contributing to the flow of tourists from both countries.
It is expected that Athens and Sofia will sign the agreement for the border point’s opening in the middle of December on Kostadin Peak, where it will be located, Zlatograd’s mayor, Miroslav Yanchev, told national media today.
Currently, there is no road from Zlatograd to Greece, which is located just a few kilometres from the Greek border. The opening of the road connecting Zlatograd to the towns of Thermes and Xanthi in northern Greece will stimulate economic development, especially of the tourism industry, on both sides of the border, Yanchev explained.
The road from Zlatograd to the border has already been completed, while its construction on the Greek side begins today, Bulgarian media noted.
The border point’s opening will be of great importance to the whole region, the mayor said, adding that this will give a push for the development of tourism. According to him, in the winter it will allow Greek tourists to reach the Pamporovo ski resort, located nearby in the Rodopi Mountains, more easily, and in the summer it will shorten the Bulgarian tourists’ trip to the Greek beaches.
If the bilateral agreement is signed according to schedule, Yanchev claimed, it would be possible for the border control point to open as early as this winter.
Currently, the building which will house the border control point is being constructed on the Kostadin Peak. It will be used by both the Bulgarian and the Greek border officials.
And how are we supposed to “help” Greece? By increasing our own deficit? Maybe Obama can use some of the TARP money – some of it is lying around unused – of course, it’s deficit money too.