The meeting between the Minister of Development and Yannis Masoutis, president of the Hellenic Supermarket Association, has concluded.
Sources at the ministry explain that this was the first official meeting between the Minister of Development and Mr. Masoutis since his election as president of the Association. The meeting covered a wide range of topics in an excellent atmosphere, and a new meeting with the entire executive board of the association will take place soon, they add.
The meeting took place in the wake of Aristotelis Panteliadis’s remarks yesterday regarding the sector’s relations with the ministry.
The head of METRO appeared particularly skeptical regarding the effectiveness of government interventions in the face of international crises, such as the cap on gross profit margins, arguing that domestic policies cannot counteract external inflationary pressures. “No measure can influence causes that are external. Therefore, no measure within Greece can effectively address this situation.”
Regarding the sector’s relationship with the political leadership of the Ministry of Development, he said: “We have cut off contact with the minister; he doesn’t want us.”
Sources within the ministry reacted immediately, pointing out today’s scheduled meeting.