Minority MP asks about Ilıca border gate

Xanthi SIRIZA Deputy Hüseyin Zeybek presented a parliamentary question on when the border gate to Bulgaria will be opened in the village of Ilıca (Thermes).

In the parliamentary question to the Ministries of Tourism, Citizen Protection, Development and Investment, Economy and Foreign Affairs, Zeybek reminded that with the onset of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020, many border gates were closed in order to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the country. Pointing out that the border gate opening to Bulgaria in the village of Ilıca has been closed for more than two years.  Zeybek said that this situation deprived the Xanthi region of an important number of tourists.

Zeybek said, “Despite the gradual opening of other border gates in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, it is still not possible to enter Greece through the Thermes (Ilıca) border gate.
It has been recorded that while an average of 4,000 vehicles a month pass through the said border gate to the region; this number reaches 14,000 in the summer months.

As a result, since the border gate of Thermes Ilıca village is the only connection point between Xanthi and Bulgaria, its closure deprives İskeçe (Xanthi) region of many tourists.

In addition, this situation causes an increase in traffic at other border gates in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region and causes great delays in crossings used the phrases. 

The parliamentary question that the said border gate has been serving for many years with insufficient infrastructure, SYRIZA deputy said, “Police officers serve without internet connection and in containers provided by the Bulgarian authorities.

This attitude is an indication of the state's indifference. However, keeping the border gate closed on the pretext of both the pandemic and the lack of infrastructure cannot be an excuse,” he said.

Pointing out that the region has experienced great losses in terms of tourism in the recent period, Zeybek used the following statements in the parliamentary question:

Xanthi Hotel Owners Association and Xanthi Chamber of Industry and Commerce announced that as a result of the closed border gate in Thermes (Ilica), there will be a decrease in the number of Bulgarian visitors, and there will be a serious loss of income in the region. As a result, another tourism season will be missed.

If we take into account the cancellation of the Xanthi carnival in recent years due to the pandemic, we can see that there have been great financial losses in domestic tourism.

Of course, the fact that the border gate remains closed together with the huge increase in costs reveals how important it is for the said border gate to become operational as soon as possible, as it will make it difficult for the businesses in our region to survive.”

Zeybek asked the following questions to the Ministers of Tourism, Citizen Protection, Development and Investment, Economy and Foreign Affairs:

Since the Ilica village border gate has been closed for more than two years and it has become impossible for visitors from Bulgaria to enter the area,

Since it is the only point connecting Xanthi region with Bulgaria and it is important for tourism development of the region,

Since businesses and hotels in Xanthi region cannot tolerate the loss of another tourist season,

Ministers are asked:

1. When do you plan to activate the border gate in Thermes (Ilıca) village of Xanthi?

2. How and when do you plan to fix the deficiencies of the infrastructure?

3. Do you plan to provide economic support to businesses that are experiencing financial losses due to the pandemic, high costs and the closed border gate?”