The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-01-24

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Agriculture: Institutional Interventions to Raise Funds

"Demands are understandable and we will meet them. There is no money but we will raise funds through institutional interventions" said Agriculture Development Minister Katerina Batzelis after the conclusion of her meeting with farmers' representatives on Sunday. On his part undersecretary for Agriculture Development M. Kahrimakis expressed the belief that the government was opening a productive and constructive dialogue. Farmers, who are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, continue mobilizations

The meeting of Agriculture Development Minister with representatives of farmers from 14 roadblocks lasted two and a half hours while farmers from 12 roadblocks did not attend the meeting on Sunday. Five draft-bills will be promoted within framework of institutional interventions.

In her statement after the meeting, Agriculture Development Minister said: "We assure farmers represented by the Panhellenic Coordination Body to follow the road of rifts and institutional changes in agricultural economy and movement. There is need for deep reforms, which we promised in pre-election campaign and we will keep our pledges. We are most concerned at the farmers' issue and we will resolve it. The government and the Agriculture Development Ministry is the front against an illicit market which harms agricultural economy. We have the farmers support to continue together in order to achieve deep structural reforms. Economic demands are understandable as the Prime-minister said and we will meet them. At present we do not have the money but we will raise funds through institutional interventions.

The secretary of the Panhellenic Coordination Body Yiannis Pasalidis said that farmers will continue mobilizations as the Agriculture Minister has not given solutions to take them out of the difficult economic situation soon. Different views among farmers lead to different stands. Promahona farmers disappointed from the Agriculture Minister statements closed the borders crossing and are to close the railway line on Monday.

A national dialogue on the agriculture issue will be held at zappeio on Monday and Tuesday but farmers in the majority of roadblocks have said that they would not participate.

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA

News item: 32374

[02] Immigration Issue Surfaces

Immigration issue surfaces in talks of political parties and social groups while incidents were reported on Saturday when a group of youth attacked demonstrators in anti-racist rally in Ambelokipoi. Ones arrested were brought before the public prosecutor and remain in custody.

The Greek Communist Party (GCP) Political Office has issued an announcement proposing legalization of immigrants, who live and work in Greece, and granting of citizenship to young immigrants reaching adulthood if they want it. The same announcement among others proposes consolidation of social security rights and right to transfer their rights to the country of their origin. Also abolition of measures and circulars hampering their access to Free Health Care, Welfare and Education. Defense and broadening of their democratic rights. Abolition of ND party amendment providing for their deportation on the grounds of "public order and security" for immigrants with misdemeanor charges. Grant voting right and right to be elected to immigrants who have lived for 5 years in Greece.

LAOS party president George Karatzaferis has proposed the collection of signatures for the holding of referendum on the immigrants issue within the party's national conference on immigration. "Greece says no to draft-bill promoted by the government because it does not want to adulterate Hellenism".

Defense Minister Evangelos Benizelos, in his speech in Thessaloniki at event on the holocaust of 60.000 Greek-Jews condemned the recent arson attack against a synagogue on the island of Hania.

Political organizations, immigrant, teacher and student societies are holding coordinated anti racist demonstrations in many large cities of Greece, on Tuesday, January, 26.

Sources: ���, �NA News item: 32370

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