Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during the first round of public discussions entitled They Are Greece Too – Discussions at the Athens Conservatory, referred to his earlier meeting with representatives of the agricultural blocs.
The Greek premier described the meeting as long, interesting and frank, but relatively disorganized due to the large number of representatives. He stressed that the government always seeks dialogue and that its doors have always been open, while noting that many issues could have been addressed earlier to defuse tensions in a timely manner.Mitsotakis emphasised that any solutions must respect the country’s fiscal capabilities, be socially just, and fit within the European regulatory framework, which is both generous and strict in terms of permissible measures.
He highlighted the reform of OPEKEPE and its transition to AADE as a necessary first step towards modernising the agricultural sector, enabling the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to fulfil its true role rather than being limited to subsidies and compensation.When asked about the response of farmers, Mitsotakis noted that, despite his good intentions, he was aware that behind the protests there were specific party interests and long-standing political logic.
He also underlined that transparency and fairness are non-negotiable and that there is no surplus money in the state budget. He added that the government will not repeat past mistakes, when decisions incompatible with the European framework were taken to defuse crises, forcing the repayment of funds with interest.Finally, regarding what he expects from farmers, Mitsotakis said he hopes reason will prevail in tomorrow’s discussions at the roadblocks. He noted that society is exhausted and that farmers have nothing to gain by continuing their protests. Greek Prime Minister also stressed that the government is ready to manage any situation.
