SIDIKEK-PEO submitted to Commerce Minister, Antonis Paschalides yesterday the main parameters on which the deliberations for the restructuring and the reduction of the EAC’s operating expenses will be based.

At the same time, the Minister was asked to improve the Authority’s institutional framework so that “it becomes more flexible and effective”.

According to the announcement, “the representation of the trade union, headed by General Secretary, Antonis Neophytou, asked by the Minister to contribute to the hastening of the procedures for the transfer of natural gas to Cyprus and the opening of a terminal”.

SIDIKEK-PEO also requested by the government “to support the Organization of Valuable Objects, which was hit by the economic crisis so long as it still is legally and institutionally necessary”.

“The Minister informed SIDIKEK-PEO on the expiry of the date of tenders for the expression of interest in the transfer of natural gas and that he is pleased for the interest that big international companies have showed”, the announcement said.

He also briefed the representation that EAC is taking measures for the construction of a terminal and agreed with SIDIKEK-PEO that the deliberations between the Authority and the trade unions must serve its strategic targets and the need for restructuring and improvement.

He ensured the trade union that the government will support the Organization of Valuable Objects so as to continue playing its important role.

“As for the statements on the problems of the semi-governmental organizations, the representation stressed that they are not attributable to the employees and it is wrong to give the impression that those organizations do not have the necessary yield”, the announcement said.

“SIDIKEK-PEO agreed that certain measures must be taken in order to deal with the administrative problems. Therefore, we will cooperate because we believe that they play an important role in the country’s economy”, the announcement concluded.