[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]A unique agreement was signed on Thursday 13th of March by The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), The Confederation of Unions for Professionals (Unio), The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS), The Confederation of Unions for Academics (Akademikerne), and The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (Norwegian NOC).

The agreement highlights the values and rules that the parties to the agreement believe should apply if Norway are to host the Olympic and Paralympics Games in 2022. If Norway and Oslo are awarded these Olympic and Paralympic Games, the parties to the agreement will contribute to create Games that are characterized by companionship, tolerance, openness and fantastic Olympic experiences for everyone involved.

The agreement underlines that the values of freedom, equality and openness should be at centre stage in international sports events in Norway. If given the chance, Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Norway in 2022 represents a unique opportunity to promote and protect these values.

- The Norwegian NOC are very proud of the partnership we’ve established with the four Unions. We want Olympic and Paralympic Games in Norway, including the Youth Olympic Games in 2016, to be remembered as Games that truly respects human rights and labor rights. We want to contribute to secure employees fair working conditions and make sustainable Games, and we strongly believe that by emphasizing these values we will contribute to create and secure truly memorable and historic experiences for athletes, spectators, volunteers and corporate partners, says the NOC President, Mr. Børre Rognlien

- Preparation, planning and implementation of Olympic and Paralympic Games in Norway must be conducted in a way that ensures full respect for human and trade union rights and sustainable development for the climate and the environment. Economic, social and ethical considerations must be addressed. We will work to ensure that Olympic and Paralympic Games in Norway will set a high standard for how major sports events should be prepared and implemented, says the union representatives.