“It was a very constructive discussion,” said Mr Pavlos Marinakis at Mega for the Prime Minister’s meeting with the farmers’ representatives at Megaros Maximos.

The government representative stated that the manner in which the requests were submitted was organized and the prime minister’s proposal was specific, studied and narrowed. “It answers their two main requests. The electricity proposal is for two years at the cost limit. It is important that no money is taken from the state budget for this fair proposal of the prime minister. Also very important is the proposal to settle all the debts of all farmers in the electricity for 10 years without interest. For agricultural oil, we will have a refund of the excise tax for the 3rd year, up front with a 50% advance payment and the discussion is opening for a more permanent and fairer way of payment”, said Mr. Marinakis.

Asked what the farmers will do now, he stated that he cannot discount their decision. “I can say that in combination with what has been given in difficult times by the government, I am optimistic that the situation will ease in terms of mobilizations,” he noted. He pointed out that a substantial dialogue took place and the farmers recognized what has been done by presenting the problems they face. “It is important that a government responds to requests, not with the logic of “all the kilos are all the money”, but with the logic of targeted interventions, without burdening the state budget further. The government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis prefers the substance”, he added, while saying that there was a substantial discussion about the CAP and the prime minister quoted how important it was that Greece got 19 billion. “He was open to hearing proposals for the distribution of this amount. Our country is a leading player in the readjustment for a green transition. An encouraging phrase was heard “Mr. President we are all together and the farmers will be on the side of the government for a fairer transition”, continued the government representative.

Regarding the government’s reaction in the event that farmers close roads, he replied that he does not think we will reach this point.

“I honestly answer that the margins have been exhausted in terms of the country’s fiscal data. And today’s counterproposal was based on the previous announcements. This proposal is not a temporary measure. He also looks to the future. The government is not only addressing the representatives of the farmers in the blocs, but the proposals concern all farmers and cooperatives, the entire agricultural world and the entire Greek economy. By reducing the cost to farmers, we hope to reduce overall costs,” he added.

He also stated that the government will not risk the free passage of citizens. “We believe in dialogue. It cannot continue with closed roads. As for the proposals of the government and the State that it will implement for electricity, oil and costs, this is the proposal. As for the institutional aspects such as the negotiation of the CAP and the illegal Greekizations, the farmers will also see it month by month. Another meeting will follow on the issues of Thessaly”, said the government representative.