World Bulletin / News Desk

Bulgarian truck drivers stranded at the Turkish border are demanding transit permits that would allow both Turkish and Bulgarian drivers to cross into each other's countries.

The drivers on Monday demanded the temporary permits ahead of a February 21 meeting in Ankara which will try and find a permanent solution to the crisis which has led to miles (kilometers) of tailbacks at the Kapikule border gate.

Turkey and Bulgaria closed the border last week after Sofia approved only 5,000 of 125,000 transit permits requested for Turkish trucks at the beginning of the year.

Turkish truck drivers have since turned to alternative routes by sea, and by land through the Ipsala border gate with Greece.