In a Meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Prime Minister Reaffirmed Support for Belarus' Democratic Future
Today, on October 23, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė met with Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of democratic Belarus. The Prime Minister reiterated Lithuania's support for democratic Belarus and its civil society and assured that the issue of free Belarus remains on Lithuania's and the international agenda.
"In all international fora - the European Union, the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and others - we clearly and loudly call on the Lukashenko’s regime to release and fully rehabilitate political prisoners, hold free and fair elections in Belarus, and guarantee the fundamental right of Belarusian citizens to determine the future of their country," the Prime Minister stressed. She also emphasized that Lithuania will continue to actively pursue the extension of EU sanctions against the Lukashenko’s regime for aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine and for human rights violations in Belarus, and will not accept exemptions for the transit of potassium fertilisers through the Lithuanian territory.
During the meeting, the situation in Belarus was discussed, highlighting the dire human rights situation, as well as practical issues relevant to Belarusians living in Lithuania, including the issuance of travel documents and passports, protection of the Lithuanian border with Belarus, and others.