PM Mitsotakis: This government supports the primary sector; increase of compensation to farmers

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday announced an increase of up to 10,000 euros in the initial compensation for damages to farmers, in an interview with SKAI radio. The prime minister said that the farmers have already received the first 2,000 euros of compensation for the damages and are now applying for the main body of the compensation due. The specific aid will increase from between 5,000 to 10,000 euros, depending on the amount of  damage to farming equipment, so that farmers can prepare for the new season until the full compensation for destroyed crops and produce is paid.

“We must recognise that this government supports the primary sector,” Mitsotakis said, announcing that the online platform for the additional compensation will open on Tuesday.

On Greek-Turkish relations, he referred to the restoration of relations between the two countries. “Relations of trust with the Turkish side have been restored on many levels and I do not refer only to my own relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” he underlined. “Greece has made its limits absolutely clear, it has strengthened its alliances and we have protected our economy because you can’t get anywhere without strong economy,” Mitsotakis said.

On the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets from the USA, he said that the fiscal space has been secured for the purchase of one squadron, noting that Greece can gradually buy up to 40 F-35s.  He also said that this agreement stands as proof of how the US sees Greece as a factor for stability.

Referring to price hikes, he said that the state will be stern in dealing with instances of profiteering, adding that there had been a “spike” of “imported price increases” that some had used as an opportunity to profiteer. He warned that the state’s response to such phenomena “will be very harsh”.

On the bill for universities, Mitsotakis said that support for public universities is a priority and called the sit ins currently taking place in universities an “illegal act”.  He said that sit-ins can’t be habitually tolerated and do not reflect the true desires of students. He also said that his vision is for Greece to become a regional education hub. “The bill will be put to a vote before the end of February and there will be great interest from major US universities, either independently or in collaboration with state universities,” he said.