|
|
Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-03
CONTENTS
[01] Off-the-agenda discussion in parliament on farm policy issues
[01] Off-the-agenda discussion in parliament on farm policy issues
An off-the-agenda discussion on agricultural policy, at political party
leaders level, opened Thursday in parliament.
Prime minister Costas Karamanlis was briefed on developments in the
agricultural sector on Wednesday, ahead of the debate, by agricultural
development minister Evangelos Basiakos and deputy minister Alexandros
Kontos.
Boosting the Greek farm sector's competitiveness through an emphasis on
high-quality produce and improving the absorption rate of EU funds,
which are matters of priority for his ministry, were discussed with the
premer, according to Basiakos, who spoke to reporters after the meeting
"Subsidies were paid earlier than ever before, while the last remaining
payment will be made by mid-May," he added.
Basiakos underlined that there is future in Greek agriculture, adding
that all available EU and state funds are being used to keep the sector
alive.
Responding to a press question, he said necessary measures have been
taken to avoid drought-related problems in hydro-electric energy
production and irrigation.
|