Mr. President Röpke,
Distinguished Members of the European Economic and Social Committee,
Dear friends,
Thank you, Mr. President, for your powerful words—and for years of your work and unwavering support
for Belarus,
for Ukraine,
for democracy — and for strong, united, prosperous Europe.
I want to commend the EESC for all your statements, resolutions, and initiatives focused on Belarus.
And when we say thank you, it’s not just a formality—we mean it, deeply.
I see many friends in this room—those who have worked with Belarusian journalists, supported our labor unions and honest businesses, and welcomed Belarusians fleeing repression. THANK YOU.
A special “thank you” to Poland and Lithuania—your support has been incredible. Even when Lukashenka’s regime responds with provocations and pressure at your borders, you stay strong. And we are truly grateful for that.
I urge you all—don’t view support for Belarus as charity. It is a strategic investment. An investment in security. An investment in democracy. An investment in future partnerships.
Today, more than half a million Belarusians live in the EU. They work. They pay taxes. They build communities. They contribute — every single day.
Meanwhile, nine million Belarusians—held hostage by a brutal dictatorship—can only dream of a European future.
Illegitimate Lukashenka continues to cling to power. He unleashed terror against own people. He has dragged Belarus into Russia’s war. He sells our sovereignty to Putin in exchange for political survival.
But that doesn’t mean Belarusians have surrendered. We are still resisting— sometimes quietly, underground. Home and in exile. And we are preparing.
Because we know: the window of opportunity will come again. And when it does, we must be ready.
At that moment, there will be two choices: Either Belarus turns toward Europe. Or it falls under the shadow of Russian control.
For me, the choice is clear: only within the European Union can Belarus grow into a democratic, independent, and prosperous country—where rights are respected, where every voice matters.
For us, Europe is not just a destination—it is the only real alternative to the Russian world.
That’s why we need more Europe in Belarus—and more Belarus in Europe.
Too often, my country is viewed as an appendix of Russia. But that is a serious mistake. Belarusians are a profoundly European nation—peaceful, creative, and hardworking. And as a nation, we are ready to contribute to Europe’s future as well.
That’s why cooperation with EESC – is of crucial importance.
Today, we are signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the EESC and the Belarusian democratic forces.
This is more than a symbol—it is a promise. A promise of cooperation. A promise of solidarity. A message to all Belarusians: you are not alone. You are part of Europe.
This is also a preparation for a European future for Belarus. We should not wait until after the regime collapses.
Together with the EESC, we can already begin preparing legislation and transition.
The European Commission has pledged 3 billion euros to support reforms in a future democratic Belarus. Let’s think together how to use this support effectively.
We can already start drafting investment plans for the day after transition—so Belarus can be integrated quickly into the European economy.
This Memorandum also strengthens the democratic forces of Belarus.
Yes, we do not hold formal power or territory. But we have people—and people are the most valuable resource.
And I propose we focus our cooperation on most vulnerable groups:
First. Civil society. Despite repressions, many organizations operate, inside the country and in exile. We can build strong partnerships between European and Belarusian organizations. Let’s promote European values—freedom, inclusion, equality—on every level of our society.
Second. Let’s stand with Belarusian workers. They were at the heart of our 2020 uprising. Today, all independent unions have been crushed, their leaders forced into exile. But the spirit of solidarity remains. Let’s defend workers’ rights—together.
Third. Let’s support honest Belarusian businesses. Hundreds of our entrepreneurs already operate across the EU. They are organized, experienced, and ready to contribute. Let’s connect them to networks, training, and investment.
Fourth. Independent media. Our journalists are fighting an information war every day. They break through Russian propaganda and bring the truth behind the iron curtain. They strengthen resilience and European values.
And finally, we must speak about those who are paying the highest price for freedom—our political prisoners. Today, there are over 1,200 people behind bars.
Many more are silenced. Several people died in prison, others shortly after they were released. Others—like my husband, Siarhei Tsikhanouski—are held incommunicado. We haven’t heard from him in over two years. I don’t even know if he is alive.
We demand their unconditional release. Repressions must stop. And we welcome every effort — public or non-public — by our partners to secure their freedom.
Yes, sanctions are not a silver bullet. But they create leverage. They put pressure on the regime. And we hope that with more pressure, more people will be released soon.
Every prisoner who returns to their family is a small victory for justice—and a big step towards freedom.
Dear friends,
Today, I’m not alone here, but with two very special guests: Maksim Pazniakou and Andrey Gniot.
Maksim has spent years defending the rights of Belarusian workers, and now he became a voice of Belarusian labour on the international arena.
And of course, Andrey — our film maker and freedom fighter, repressed by the regime, prosecuted through Interpol. He would not probably be released if not for support from the EESC. Thank you for that.
Andrey can tell more about transnational repression, how the regime prosecutes people abroad, and how together we can counter it.
President Röpke, Members of the Committee, dear friends
Dictatorships seem unshakable—until they suddenly collapse. We saw this with the Berlin Wall. We saw it when the Soviet Union dissolved.
We’ve seen it in Syria. And we may witness it soon in Iran.
That’s why we must always be prepared for a window of opportunity.
But opportunity doesn’t come on its own. It must be created.
And that is my call to you today.
Let’s not see Belarusians merely as a problem—see us as partners. As allies.
We are ready to contribute, to cooperate, to rebuild.
Ales Bialiatski, our Nobel Peace Prize laureate—and now a political prisoner—once wrote:
“We want to build our society as more harmonious, fair, and responsive to the needs of its sons and daughters. To achieve an independent, democratic Belarus, free of foreign coercion.”
To make Belarus “a country for living”—this is what we fight for.
A fair, inclusive, and democratic society—where everyone can speak, work, create, and live freely.
And this is not just a Belarusian fight. It is a European one.
Let’s show the world that words like “freedom,” “solidarity,” and “justice” are not just ideals—they are commitments
Let’s ensure that Belarus is no longer known as “the last dictatorship of Europe”—but as its next great democracy.
Slava Ukraini. Zhyve Belarus! Long Live Europe.
