ISTANBUL - "We were transporting goods worth of 30 billion EURo to Europe every year, with 170,000 trips, through Bulgaria. But now, Bulgaria is trying to block our way," said Cetin Nuhoglu, chairman of the International Transporters` Association (UND).
In an exclusive interview with AA, Nuhoglu underscored that Bulgaria was trying to block Turkey`s way-out to Europe, as well as its free trade.
Nuhoglu declared that several logistics firms from EU member countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, were trying to form a new structuring in Bulgaria and by this way, they aimed to get shares from the transportation business carried out up to now through Turkey.
Stressing that in 1979 Turkey and Bulgaria signed an agreement allowing transportation to third countries by transiting through each other`s territories, Nuhoglu said Bulgaria cancelled the said agreement unilaterally on March 1st, 2007.
He also stated that State Minister Kursad Tuzmen requested that the agreement has to stay in effect at a meeting in Bulgarian capital of Sofia last January, however, Bulgaria preferred to impose conditions, in return.
"They demanded the empty Bulgarian TIR trucks to enter Turkey freely, load goods from Turkey and transport them to Europe," said Nuhoglu, adding that such a practice is against to logic.
"I smell a little blackmailing on this matter. This a dangerous way. European logistics firms are eager to assume a role in Turkey`s and Middle Eastern trade by establishing a bridgehead in Bulgaria," Nuhoglu indicated.
On the other hand, Nuhoglu noted that they desired Romania and Ukraine to get involved in the transportation process as soon as possible and they relayed their demands regarding the issue to the Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Transportation.