The deputy prime minister met earlier with representatives of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS) Kostis Hatzidakis while he received the memorandum with the requests of farmers.
In relation to the payment of agricultural subsidies, Mr. Hatzidakis underlined: “We are between two different pressures. The pressure, on the one hand, from the European Commission, which reasonably wants a new, reliable system – and the responsibilities attributed to us, we have publicly assumed. We are therefore obliged to ensure as quickly as possible a new, reliable system. And on the other hand, we have the, also reasonable, pressures of our farmers for payments as early as possible».
He then emphasized that the government’s priority is the payment of the basic aid and the payment of outstanding programs: “We are now on the final stretch, after making some partial payments, to proceed with the basic aid. And then in the payment of the amounts due from outstanding programs, Measure 23 for example, and a number of other such actions».
Regarding the issue of smallpox, Mr. Hatzidakis pointed out: “You know that a long time ago, an effort to coordinate as much as possible, with the participation of the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Regions and Veterinary Schools of the country. We are not in the phase of general directions, but in the phase of controls. And specific moves are being made, to send the message that we all have to pay attention».