Greek farmers stormed runways and clashed with riot police on Crete, forcing the shutdown of two international airports and leaving at least eight officers injured as nationwide protests over production costs and subsidies spiraled into violence.

"I want to emphasise from the outset that we are here to find solutions and that we also approach this meeting in an atmosphere of good will," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday in his initial statement, during a meeting at the Maximos Mansion with representatives of the panhellenic committee of protesting farmers.

Farmers decided to escalate their protests following a nationwide meeting of blockade groups held in Nikaia, Larissa on Tuesday.
They will continue their struggle with roadblocks on national highways, as well as protests in cities. Additionally, they decided to hold a central demonstration in Athens with their tractors.