Trade unions reconfirm their position on Cyprus

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot, as well as Turkish and Greek trade unions, point out the need for United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to assume a new initiative on Cyprus on the basis of his solution plan, with the necessary changes that would make the plan acceptable by both communities without changing its philosophy.

A Cyprus All Trade Union Forum permanent committee press release notes the trade unions met in the framework of the second conference of Turkish, Greek and Cypriot trade unions organised in Constantinople on September 16 and 17, and discussed the situation of employees in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus and the role of trade unions to achieve peace and stability in the region.

The meeting took place in a positive and constructive climate, the release says, adding that it was decided that the next meeting would be held in Cyprus.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, the trade unions reconfirmed their position decided on during the previous conference that ‘a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation as prescribed by the UN resolutions on Cyprus and the high level agreements constitutes an immediate necessity.’

‘The pursued solution should guarantee the respect of the human rights of all Cypriots and should be based on the political equality of both communities,’ the trade unions add. (CNA)