Greek farmers have decided not to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following a nationwide assembly held in Nikaia, near the city of Larissa. Instead, they will send a document outlining their demands to the prime minister and the relevant ministries, including lower prices for agricultural fuel, reduced energy costs and the restoration of subsidies to levels seen five years ago. Farmers also decided to step up their protests later this week.

Responding to Mitsotakis’ invitation for talks, farmers said dialogue could take place only if the government first addresses their demands, otherwise describing the move as a public relations exercise.

Representatuves from the Greeek farmes who spoke to reporters ahead of the meeting struck a hard line. Sokratis Aleiftiras, vice-president of the Larissa federation, said farmers were determined to submit their demands after the assembly and were awaiting “clear answers” from the government.

“We will enter into dialogue if — and only if — the conditions are right, meaning the prime minister provides answers to our demands. Otherwise, we consider this a government communications show,” Aleiftiras said. “The government says it takes two to tango, that a meeting requires two sides, but Mr Mitsotakis acted unilaterally and scheduled the meeting on his own.”

He added that the prime minister could intervene at any time to create a basis for talks, but said the government would need to demonstrate that it was genuinely seeking solutions.