"Today, a number of trade union organisations, parties and associations within the Turkish Cypriot community are organizing a strike and meetings to protest against the economic measures imposed on them that are directly linked to Turkey's policies in the occupied part of Cyprus.  This policy goes hand in hand with the transfer of Turkish settlers aimed at the assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot community and a change in the demographic character of the island.  These policies pursued by Turkey harm particularly the Turkish Cypriots but also the efforts for the solution to the Cyprus problem.

GUE/NGL expresses its support with this struggle and its solidarity with the forces within the Turkish Cypriot community, which continue to work in parallel for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN resolutions, for a free reunified Cyprus based on a bizonal bicommunal federation. The interests of the two communities are common and contrary to the interests of those who seek to continue keeping Cyprus a hostage.

The GUE/NGL once again reiterates its support with the efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem through the ongoing dialogue between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus." 

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
www.guengl.eu
Gauche Unitaire Européenne/Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group