The Larnaca Refinery employees have decided on Wednesday to go on a strike, after government’s decision to transform the refineries into a fuel terminal. It is noted that the government’s revised decision to proceed to this act is opposed to the agreement signed by the former government in February 2001, which was in favour of the upgrading solution.

According to SW sources, representatives of the employees’ trade unions have organized representation to the Presidential palace while the Council of Ministers will be on a meeting to decide on the future of the refineries.

Former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Nicos Rolandis, said that the government’s intention to transform the refineries into a storage terminal is a mistake and warned that the Cyprus citizens will finally pay the price. “This option will not work. Recent studies carried out by experts revealed that a refinery upgrading would add $60 million to the government within a period of seven years”, Mr. Rolandis stressed.

The same position was held by the former Mare of Larnaca, Georgios Lykourgos, who had signed the agreement with the former Cyprus President, Glafcos Clerides. Mr. Lykourgos said that the government has violated the agreement between the government and the Larnaca citizens and stressed that such a decision would be a serious threat for the city.