Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis opened a new round of talks with farmers’ representatives in Athens on Monday, adopting a conciliatory approach while conceding that complete agreement was unlikely.
Welcoming a 25-member committee to the Maximos Mansion, Mitsotakis said he anticipated a “meaningful discussion” with farmers seeking compensation for lost income, payment of delayed subsidies and additional support measures.
“I don’t expect us to agree on everything, but I believe we will have a meaningful discussion,” he said.
The PM referred to weeks of farmers’ protests, including tractor blockades on major highways, which have been suspended for the negotiations, saying the period of heightened tension had not served either farmers or society.
He stressed that the government had already outlined which demands it could accommodate and which it could not.
“The demands are legitimate, and they are many,” Mitsotakis said, adding that society was now “seeking for us to move forward by addressing demands that are justified.”
He also acknowledged that, in the government’s view, the talks should have taken place earlier.
The discussions follow an initial meeting last week, during which Mitsotakis signalled potential improvements to existing support measures, particularly on electricity and fuel costs.
Source: Ekathimerini.
