As he noted, today’s meeting is an opportunity both to review how the government has responded to many of the sector’s demands and to hear directly from producers’ representatives about how the solutions already implemented can be applied more effectively. At the same time, he stressed the importance of examining areas for improvement as well as any specific local issues, which could be addressed in more detail in follow-up meetings with the government team.

The prime minister emphasized that the discussion should not be limited solely to immediate sectoral demands, but should extend to the broader question of the future of the primary sector and how its modernization can move from theory into practice. In this context, he also referred to the Cross-Party Committee that has been established in Parliament, which, he said, will begin its work immediately, aiming to involve sector representatives and gather concrete proposals.

In closing, Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined that there is an open field for meaningful dialogue and the drawing of concrete conclusions, stressing that “developments are shaped by those who are present, not by those who are absent.” He added that the government engages in dialogue with those willing to participate, while it cannot compel anyone to attend discussions they choose not to pursue.

Full opening statement by the Prime Minister:

“First of all, happy new year and welcome. I am very pleased that today we will have the opportunity, I believe, to hold a very substantive and productive discussion on the many problems facing the primary sector in our country.

I think this will be an opportunity to review the way in which the government has responded to several of the sector’s demands, but I am also keen to hear from you how the solutions that have been implemented can be applied more effectively, to see where there is room for improvement, and to examine the extent to which there are specific local issues that could potentially be addressed in more detail in other meetings you may have with our team.

And I believe we should also hold a broader discussion, beyond and above the immediate sectoral demands, on what concerns us all: what is ultimately the future of the primary sector, and how the discussion on its modernization can be translated from theory into practice. What role the Cross-Party Committee that we have established in Parliament can play—one that will begin its work immediately—and in which we will obviously seek your participation and the submission of specific proposals.

Therefore, I believe the field is open for us to hold a meaningful discussion and arrive at concrete conclusions.

I would have liked this discussion to be, under different circumstances, even more inclusive. The only thing I would say is that, in the end, developments are shaped by those who are present and not by those who are absent. We always engage in dialogue with those who are willing to talk with us, and of course we cannot force anyone to come and take part in a dialogue that, for their own reasons, they may not wish to pursue.”