Greek farmers unhappy with their meeting with premier, saying government did not commit to main demands

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Greek farmers were disappointed with their meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Monday, saying the government has not made any commitment to subsidies or compensation for crops destroyed during floods last summer, local media reported.

President of the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Larissa, Rizos Marouda noted that direct state subsidies to the sector will not be paid until the end of June as per their information.

“We need immediate liquidity since the new growing season is about to start,” the state-run AMNA news agency quoted Marouda as saying.

Maroudas said there is no new information on compensation for tree crops destroyed during last summer's floods.

He vowed that farmers would continue to demand cheaper electricity and facilitation in payment of debts to the Public Power Corporation.

During the meeting, Mitsotakis emphasized that the government has made a concerted effort to address farmers' problems and demands.

“We generally agree that many of the farmers’ demands are fair,” he said.

When it comes to electricity, Mitsotakis stressed the importance of providing farmers with long-term predictability.

Regarding the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), about which farmers have also complained, he said Greece is the only member state that has submitted proposals to the European Council.

“We aim to take a leading role in CAP matters,” said Mitsotakis.