The farmers’ blockades are jeopardizing the entire season ahead of the festive period, and they have both economic and national costs, emphasizes Panagiotis Koutsikos, President of the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in his statement, urging the sector to enter into dialogue with the government.
As Mr. Koutsikos points out, hotel reservation cancellations have reached an average of 50% so far, and an entire season is being lost for which hotels, travel agencies, and citizens who had planned a Christmas getaway by any means had prepared.
Read the statement:
The President of the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Panagiotis Koutsikos, in his intervention directed at those responsible for the agricultural protests, holds them accountable for the damage to the Greek economy as well as to the primary sector they serve.
It is unprecedented for them to refuse dialogue with Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, blocking the countrys operations.
Through their protests, blocking the National Roads, thousands of goods, medicines, and perishable products are being destroyed. They are also hindering the functioning of Ports and Airports, with no solidarity for the other social classes.
Winter Tourism is under great pressure due to the agricultural protests, causing significant harm and threatening the operation of businesses in the sector.
The entire season, for which hotels, travel agencies, and citizens have prepared, is being thrown into chaos.
Hotel reservation cancellations have reached 50% on average so far.
The role of the primary sector is crucial as the first link in the production chain, the performance of which is transmitted in a chain reaction to industry, trade, and exports, with society being the final recipient.
The cost of the farmers’ stance is not political, but Economic and National.
The dialogue with the farmers proposed by the Prime Minister concerns not only the present but also the future of Greek rural areas.
The current production model must be changed to a new development model that is more attractive to the younger generations of farmers.
The survival, modernization, and strengthening of the primary sector is a NATIONAL issue.
