ATHENS — Main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, who is visiting the island of Rhodes, met on Thursday with the regional governor of the South Aegean Giorgos Hatzimarkos. "We had the opportunity to exchange views on the major challenges of this time, the major challenges for the country and for the islands," said Hatzimarkos.

Tsipras and Hatzimarkos discussed the issue of tourism, the protection of labour and supporting the economic activity of each business.

On his part , Tsipras praised the importance of the South Aegean's performance in Greek tourism and stressed how much the country needs a return to these performances.

"We expressed our optimism, which is derived from our dedication to the goal and the fact that we are here and ready to fight, once more, any battle that must be fought," said Hatzimarkos.

Tsipras was accompanied by SYRIZA MP Nektarios Santorinios, who is responsible for shipping issues for the party, and with MP Katerina Notopoulou, who follows tourism.