Farmers discuss further action as signs of compromise emerge

Protesting farmers were expected to meet in Larissa, central Greece, on Thursday to discuss further action.

Farmers, who are angry at the government’s austerity measures, have in the previous weeks set up more than 30 roadside blockades across the country.

Meanwhile, Alternate Agricultural Development Minister Maximos Harakopoulos was on Thursday due to meet with farmers from Ileia, the Peloponnese, and Serres, northern Greece.

In comments made Wednesday, Harakopoulos suggested that a compromise was in the works.

“We briefed the premier on the status of implementing measures to deal with the problems faced by the agricultural sector and we received instructions on how to swiftly resolve outstanding issues,” he said Wednesday after a meeting with Antonis Samaras, the conservative coalition leader.

Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis has also agreed to hold talks with farmers Thursday.

Samaras was on Thursday scheduled to hold a series of meetings with key members of his cabinet, including the country’s labor and education ministers.

Source: ekathimerini.com