EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladimir Spidla and Cyprus Labour and Social Insurance Minister Soteroula Charalambous inaugurated here Thursday, during a ceremony at Ledras Street, the EU campaign “Do you know what social Europe can do for you?”, at the presence of the Head of the European Representation to Cyprus Androulla Kaminara and other officials.
The main aim of the campaign is to enlighten EU citizens on the measures which the union is taking to create better working positions as well as to improve conditions, remove barriers to job mobility, equality between men and women, promoting equal opportunities for people of all ages and improving training and adaptability.
Addressing the ceremony, the European Commissioner referred to the financial crisis in Europe and the world on general, noting that it will have repercussions in the sector of employment.
He said that solutions must be found to address this situation and decide which policies, networks and means must be used.
The European Commissioner said that action must be taken immediately, something which will be achieved by defining priorities which are required so that Europe will be united and ready to give answers to its citizens.
On her part, Charalambous said that Cyprus “supports every EU effort and especially Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities which aims at promoting social Europe and enhancing social cohesion for everyone.”
She also referred to the great role which national authorities of the EU member states have to play, “both with the right and prompt enlightenment of our citizens and the effective implementation of the acquis communautaire.”
Kaminara expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Commission’s campaign is launched from Cyprus to be transferred to other ten EU member states. She also noted the fact that this event took place at the crossing point at Ledras stresset, which opened in April 2008 for the first time in nearly 40 years, to facilitate movement to and from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas.
