AKEL delegation meeting with the Workers Party of Belgium

Solidarity with the struggle of the Belgian workers!

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 2nd June 2016, Nicosia

Neoklis Sylikiotis, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL and AKEL Member of the European Parliament conveyed AKEL’s unreserved support and solidarity with the struggle of Belgian workers during the meeting of an AKEL delegation with comrades David Pestieau, Vice-President of the Workers Party of Belgium (PTB/PVDA) and Mario Fransen, Head of the International Relations Department of the Party..

The AKEL delegation, after a briefing by the members of the leadership of PTB/PVDA on the situation in the country and the mass character the strike mobilizations have assumed in Belgium, exchanged views on how AKEL, as well as the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group in the European Parliament, can both demonstrate in a more practical way solidarity with the struggle of the Belgian working people. At the same time, both delegations discussed the participation of the members of GUE/NGL as an expression of support in the general strike due to take place in Belgium on 24th June.

On his part, the Vice-President of PTB/PVDA David Pestieau explained that the Workers Party of Belgium is at the forefront of the strike mobilizations, which constitute the second phase of social reaction, which had begun at the start of 2014 against the austerity measures imposed by the Belgian government. Particular reference was made to the anti-worker measures promoted by the Belgian Government, referring characteristically to the increase in working hours from 38 to 45 hours.

During the meeting, N. Sylikiotis briefed the comrades from the Workers Party of Belgium on the situation in Cyprus and an exchange of views took place with regards promoting the further cooperation between the two Parties, but also on enhancing the cooperation of the Workers Party of Belgium with the Confederal Group of the European United Left.