The Greek government launched on Monday an open dialogue on agriculture problems in a two-day event in Athens, boycotted by Greek farmers who
continue to block highways and border crossings for an 11th day, asking for more state subsidies.
"We are determined to move on to all the necessary institutional reforms to guarantee a better future for Greek farmers and their children, always closely cooperating with social partners, including farmers," Agricultural
Development Minister Katerina Batzeli said during her address at the event.
Batzeli acknowledged that Greek farmers never gained much from the country's economic growth in the past,because authorities did not act properly to prepare the sector on time for
the changing environment worldwide,competition from other countries in Europe and outside the continent.
As national economy today faces a huge challenge, it is difficult to hand them out financial support, but the government is willing to discuss the changes that will pave the way for a turn to green development and better quality products that will increase the farmers' financial gain in the future.
"In a critical period for our economy, we don't have the luxury of wasting more precious time. We understand farmers' agony and we will contribute in every possible way to give
solutions to their problems," Economy,
Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli added, addressing the same event.
"We face similar problems, and we discuss similar solutions," visiting Portuguese Agriculture Minister Antonio Manuel Serrano said during his speech.
But as representatives of organizations involved in agriculture were present at the event, farmers chose to be absent, rejecting the government's invitation to an open dialogue as "a
fiesta for the media." Instead, approximately 300 farmers held a demonstration outside the
Zappeion mansion, where the event is held, and demonstrated in front of the Parliament, as their colleagues set up the blockades around the country and border crossings in northern Greece.
At the Promachonas border crossing with Bulgaria starting from Monday morning farmers have blocked with their tractors not just the highway, but also the railway that connects the
two countries.
At the Igoumenitsa port which connects Greece with Italy, farmers have blocked the entrance and exit to tracks from Sunday, causing further problems to the transfer of products from
Italy.