Cypriot union and civil society groups call for solution

The trade union PEO, affiliated with the Greek Cypriot communist AKEL party, and the Turkish Cypriot “This country is ours” platform, which was behind the demonstrations in early 2003, issued a joint declaration calling for a solution to the Cyprus problem as soon as possible.

Speaking during a press conference at Ledra Palace, General Secretary of PEO Bampis Kyritsis and General Secretary of DEV-IS Mehmet Seyis called on the United Nations, European Union, Turkey, Greece and the leaders of the two communities to concentrate on the solution and to work so that with the right preparation “we will soon be led to new negotiations that will end in a solution the soonest possible”.

They also said that they will continue their joint activities for a solution to the Cyprus problem and called all workers, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to raise their voices for a peaceful and reunited Cyprus.

“We stay engaged … in the struggle for a bizonal, bicommunal federation on the basis of the resolutions of the United Nations for Cyprus, the high level agreements, the political equality of the two communities and the European values and principles,” they said.

Kyritsis and Seyis said they decided to hold joint celebrations on May 1.

Representatives of Turkish Cypriot trade unions and members of the “This Country is Ours” platform will participate in the parade which will be held on Monday, May 1 from the PEO headquarters in Nicosia to Elefteria Square.

Later that day, a PEO delegation will be present at the activities of the Platform that will be held in northern Cyprus.