The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-01-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Farmers Insist on Road Blocks

Farmers seem determined to not take a single step back, seriously disrupting traffic and movement of products both in Greece and beyond. The government spokesman stressed that the farmers' grievances are fair, however, road blocks do no good to them, the society and the country's international image. A spokesman of the farmers met Thursday with the Ministers of State and Agricultural Development at Maximos Mansion.

Adamant in their positions, farmers keep erecting new road blocks throughout Greece. There are road blocks in the Athens-Thessaloniki highway, in Kastro, Ritsona, Alamana, and Nikea, as well as in Chrysoupoli and Kerdylia.

The Promahonas border crossing remains closed for a fourth day in a row, because of the farmers' protests. Not even the biting cold forced the farmers to abandon their positions.

However, in a gesture of good will, they allowed Wednesday night traffic to go undisrupted for two hours.

"...road blocks do no good to anyone, tarnishing the country's image..."

Giorgos Petalotis Government Spokesman

Farmers' Spokesman at Maximos Mansion

Representing the farmers' movement, Vassilis Kilafas was welcomed Thursday at Maximos Mansion and held talks with State Minister Haris Pamboukis and Agricultural Development Minister Katerina Batzeli.

Kilafas unveiled the farmers' positions and called for a constructive dialogue. He then said that the State Minister called on farmers to open the roads, while he urged the Prime Minister to respond to the farmers' grievances.

Kilafas stressed that the social dialogue scheduled to take place in the days to come and the working groups of the Agricultural Ministry have nothing to offer to the major problems plaguing the farmers for years.

Entering Maximos Mansion, Kilafas argued: "Our protests did not come out of the blue and we are not going to enter a dialogue the way it has been prepared by the government and the competent ministry."

Government: Grievances Are Fair-Road Blocks Are of no Use

"The farmers' grievances are fair. However, the road blocks do no good to them, to the society and to the country's image," stressed the Government Spokesman, Giorgos Petalotis.

Petalotis stressed that the government stepped up measures to support the farmers' income, underlining there is the will for radical changes in the agricultural sector.

Agricultural Minister Katerina Batzeli, on her part, reiterated that the government's intention is to channel 1 billion euros to the agricultural sector. News item: 32248

[02] The Killer of Australian Tourist Sentenced to 22.5 Years

A Greek court sentenced Mario Antonopoulo, 26, to 22.5 years in jail for the killing of a young Australian tourist on Mykonos island in 2008.

The other two defendants were sentenced to eight and seven and a half years in jail.

Source: NET News item: 32240

[03] Weather Deteriorates

Weather is forecast to take a turn for the worse as of Thursday evening. The weather deterioration is to affect mostly central and southern Greece. In Athens, temperatures will range from 2C to 12C and in Thessaloniki from 2C to 7C.

Roads to the ski resorts of central and western Macedonia are open, however, travelers should be rather cautious due to the frost conditions.

Weather Forecast for Friday

Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected tomorrow in most parts of the country. Winds will be southeasterly to northeasterly at speeds of 6 to 8 Beaufort in most parts and up to 9 Beaufort in the Aegean

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 32227

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