Tensions at the airport of Alexandroupolis / Farmers break the police cordon, demand a confrontation with the minister

2024-02-11 22:24:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Tensions at the airport of Alexandroupolis / Farmers break the police cordon,

There was tension at the airport of Alexandroupolis in Greece after the farmers clashed with the police to enter the airport and have a confrontation with the Minister of Rural Development.

Dozens of farmers surrounded the hotel where he would stay with their tractors.

Although the meeting between the minister and the farmers was scheduled for the afternoon, the attitude of the farmers forced the minister to postpone the meeting. The revolted farmers later marched towards the airport and broke the police cordon.

The planned meeting of the Minister of Rural Development and Food Lefteris Avgenakis for the rehabilitation of the affected areas of Evros took place in a hall of the airport of Alexandroupoli as the previous extensive meeting that took place in Komotini with representatives of farmers, livestock keepers and beekeepers organizations , have lasted much longer than planned, more than 3.5 hours, resulting in last-minute changes in the minister's schedule, it is emphasized in a ministry announcement.

In the meeting held with the olive producers affected by the fire and representatives of agricultural cooperatives, including Nikolaos Grigoriadis, Director of the Agricultural Cooperative Union of Alexandroupolis, in the presence of Deputy Minister Stavros Keletsis, Secretary General Giorgos Stratakos and the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Kristodulos Topsidis, discussed issues that concern them and mainly issues related to state aid. Memorandums were filed and there were assurances from HYPAAT leaders that they will continue to stand by them, doing everything possible to help the affected areas.

The minister promised to visit the area again and reiterated that the door of the ministry is always open.

He ensured the continuation of talks with institutional representatives of farmers, clarifying that dialogue is a key component of cooperation between them. "We are building a relationship of trust and consistency", emphasized the Ministry of AAT within the planned meeting of a delegation of farmers with the Prime Minister on Tuesday.

Responding to the issues raised by the farmers, Mr. Avgenakis agreed that there is a need for further changes in the PPB, informing that Greece has already submitted improvement proposals in this regard, which, he said, have been approved.

The Minister of Rural Development stated that the cross-sectoral actions of the ministry are reflected in three key words: "family, order and target"./ CNA