The framework of additional support for farmers resulting from the redistribution of basic aid funds was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis during his speech today in the House of Representatives during the budget debate.

As the deputy prime minister said, “The government intends that allocated funds of €80 million under the new system will be given additionally to livestock farmers in Continental and Island Greece, from basic support and ecological schemes. While, government’s intention is also to unallocated resources of 80 million will be given additionally to cotton and wheat farmers, supporting them in this difficult situation. Showing that the new system works in favour of the real producers, with a clear social dimension.”

“Based on the ongoing dialogue with farmers, we are ready to proceed with the adoption of other support measures. Based on the strength of the economy and the framework of the CAP,” Hatzidakis stressed.

These measures will concern:

– The refund of the excise tax on oil at the pump, following consultations with the ADSE. But without any windows for unfair practices.
– Initiatives by the PPP to further reduce the price of electricity for farmers.
– New system for even greater coverage by ELGA.

He also pointed out that an additional 490 million euros are currently being paid to farmers and another 600 million will be paid by the end of the year, bringing total payments to 3.8 billion euros. He recalled the interventions of previous years (VAT reduction on animal feed, fertilizers and agricultural inputs, reduction of taxes for farmers, refund of the Special Consumption Tax on agricultural oil, compensation for Daniel, payment for the first time of the Compensatory Measure 23) and added:

“The agricultural sector is facing serious problems. The crisis can and must become an opportunity for a new start for Greek agriculture. We are waiting for the representatives of our farmers in the coming days. We are determined to show the greatest possible understanding, and we are sure that they will also show the greatest possible responsibility.”

Referring to the opposition’s criticism of the foreign policy, that it has allegedly led Greece to marginalization and downgrading against Turkey, and of relations with the United States, he said they were wrong. Specifically, he recalled:

– The deal with Chevron, which effectively cancelled the notorious illegal Turkish-Colombian memorandum.
– The maritime spatial planning, which was discussed for years and did not progress, and the ecological parks in the Aegean.
– The SAFE program for financing defense equipment from the European Union. “It turned out that Greece, despite criticism to the contrary, finally had a veto right and that Ankara’s way goes through Athens as well,” he said.
– The signing of the energy agreements, on hydrocarbons and on the transport of American gas to Europe.

In relation to developments in the economy, Hatzidakis noted that the problem of accuracy is real and big for all households. He noted, however, that from 2022 onwards it is pan-European and international and that the Government has taken a number of measures (household basket, fines, wage and benefit increases) to address it. “It goes without saying that the effort continues,” he said. And on housing, he highlighted the 44 different initiatives the government has adopted in recent years to support tenants, especially young people, to which new ones are now being added.

The Deputy Prime Minister finally noted the pprogress that has been achieved over the past 6.5 years, noting in particular: The reduction of unemployment from 18 to 8%, and the fact that in a country of 10 million people, 500,000 additional 500,000 of our fellow citizens have found work over these years. The reduction of 83 taxes and contributions. The greater reduction in public debt and the fact that we now borrow cheaper than countries such as Italy and France. The election of the Minister of Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis to the Presidency of the Eurogroup is a recognition of the government’s economic policy.

“All this progress has one signature: the New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis,” Hatzidakis concluded.