"I want to emphasize from the outset that we are here to find solutions and that we are also having this meeting in a good mood," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday in his initial statement during the meeting with the representatives of the panhellenic committee of farmers at blockades, at the Maximos Mansion.
The Prime Minister welcomed the representatives and emphasized that his intention is to first listen to all of them and then to present to them some proposals which the government has worked on.
"I want to emphasize from the outset that we are here to find solutions and that we are coming to this meeting in a good mood as I think we have shown all this time and I believe that we can meet in a common place taking into account the justified concerns, but it will also take into account the fact that the country's fiscal margins are specific and limited. And of course if you also see things from our side you will realize something that I believe you already know because you are part of the society: many sectors, many social groups always have requests and expectations from the government and every decision of the government must take into account the social justice," the Prime Minister said at his introductory remarks.
Also, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced cheaper electricity for all farmers for the next 2+8 years. He also announced an advance payment of the refund of the Special Consumption Tax on agricultural oil (amounting to 82 million euros) of 40 million euros at the end of March.
"I believe that we can arrive at a common ground, which takes into account your own justified concerns but also takes into account the fact that the country's fiscal margins are given and limited. And, of course, if you also see things from our side you will realise something that I believe you already know because you are a part of society - that many sectors, many social groups always have demands and expectations of the government, while every decision of the government must look at the whole and also take into account the aspect of social justice," the prime minister said in his introductory remarks.
The prime minister said that he would listen to every one that wished to speak and that there was as much time as was needed to discuss the issues at length, though asking them to exercise restraint "so that we can then answer to the things you tell us."
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Rizos Maroudas said that the prime minister had himself acknowledged that the farmers were right: "There are many problems in the farming sector that need to be tackled and we want real solutions so that we can keep on and stay in our villages - which is the goal as the countryside has been deserted and everyone is well aware of this. There are several young people at the blockades that are fighting this battle to stay in the profession and the village - and at the same time so we can continue to cultivate and produce, so there is good quality and inexpensive food, such as our country can produce, so there is sufficiency of food for our people."
He noted, however, that the farmers' problems with the cost of farming and prices was one that prevented this and this was apparent in the constantly dwindling farming population.
"Therefore, today...we are here to find solutions. We expect the government to make announcements. We believe this is possible, this is what we consider. The fiscal capability exists, if there is a will, to find solutions in this direction," he concluded.
