Dear friends,
For two days, the representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet (UTC) spoke about their work, answered questions – sometimes not the most pleasant ones. But, following the vote, the Coordination Council decided to approve the work of the representatives.
However, this is no reason to relax. Soon, we expect recommendations from the Coordination Council on how to improve the work of each representation, and I ask the representatives to take these recommendations into account.
Following the hearings, I have decided to appoint Pavel Barkouski as the UTC Representative for National Revival. After Alina Koushyk moved to a new position, Mr. Barkouski served for several months as Acting Representative and proved himself outstanding in this role. He has managed this important area of work professionally, responsibly, and with integrity.
I would like to appoint two more Deputy Representatives for National Revival: Irena Katsialovich – Deputy for Culture, and Andrei Laurukhin – Deputy for Education and Science. Congratulations!
On the recommendation of the Coordination Council, Alisa Ryzhychenka is appointed Representative for Economy and Finance. You could already see Ms. Ryzhychenka yesterday in the discussions and are familiar with her media appearances. She has both the experience and the necessary expertise for this role.
I would like the Economic Representation in the near future to work on detailing the Comprehensive Economic Assistance Plan for Belarus after democratic changes, amounting to 3 billion euros. As you know, yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that this commitment remains in force. This is an important message to Belarusians inside the country that after the change, Belarus will receive all the necessary support. Alisa, good luck with your work!
Now to foreign missions.
Sviatlana Shatsilina is appointed Head of the Democratic Belarus Mission in Kyiv. She will develop Belarusian-Ukrainian relations and assist Belarusians in Ukraine. She will replace Henadz Manko in this position, who will continue working with my team and in the Coordination Council. Ms. Shatsilina will coordinate her work with the Representative for Security, Vadzim Kabanchuk, and his team.
In Italy, in the city of Florence, with the support of the local authorities, we are opening the Belarusian Democratic Community Center. It will provide assistance to Belarusians, support refugees, and promote Belarusian culture. The Center will be headed by Yulia Yukhno, who you know from the People’s Embassies in Italy.
In Spain, we are opening a Mission – our fifth after Tallinn, Prague, Brussels, and Kyiv. The Head of the Mission will be Tatsiana Marynich. We are now awaiting official confirmation from the Spanish authorities.
Finally, in Brussels, we expect to launch a Belarusian Public Hub based at the Brussels Mission, headed by Vladzimir Astapenka.
Dear friends,
Our work continues. It is difficult and thankless, but extremely, extremely important. We must remember that what we do, we do for Belarus and Belarusians.
Yesterday, we saw a presentation of opinion polls by Henadz Korshunau and the Center for New Ideas. In these figures, I did not see apathy or frustration – on the contrary, I saw a readiness to continue the struggle. Belarusians still believe in change, and many associate this hope with the democratic forces.
We need to keep Belarus on the international agenda. And on the international agenda, the top issue now is security. For this purpose, we prepared and presented at the Conference the Red Paper on security. In this report, we show how Belarus can integrate into the European security system, and we explain that Belarus is not only a threat, but also an opportunity.
Today, we also presented a large Cultural Diplomacy Report, a report on the regime’s participation in the war developed by Belpol, and a brochure on the structure of the democratic forces, which will help both Belarusians and foreigners navigate the entire ecosystem of the Belarusian democratic community.
The Conference adopted several resolutions prepared by the Organizing Committee and endorsed by the Coordination Council. These include the resolutions On Justice, On the Release of Political Prisoners, On Security, On Youth, On the European Choice, On National Identity, On Countering Russia’s Hybrid Aggression, On the Inadmissibility of Violating Freedom of Conscience, and the main Political Resolution outlining the key positions of the democratic forces.
Ahead of the Conference, the Cabinet also adopted the Act On Supporting Belarusian Veterans and approved the Concept of Restitution for Victims of Repression.
The UTC presented a concept for holding a Round Table to resolve the political crisis in Belarus. In this way, we address officials and civic groups that share the values of sovereignty and democracy and call on them to engage in dialogue. The regime is not eternal, and we must think now about how we will move toward national reconciliation.
We continue strengthening our institutions, our agency, and our structures both abroad and in exile. We are working on the passport project – the first passports are already being issued, so far in pilot mode. As I have said, this is a long-term project aimed at strengthening our community and, in the long run, helping to resolve practical problems. The more passports issued, the greater the chances for their recognition.
For now, however, the priority is to address urgent issues of legal stay and alien passports, including through the implementation of the Luxembourg Solutions adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
In the autumn, we will launch a campaign to promote a European future for Belarus to show an alternative – an alternative to Russia. The aim of the campaign is, on the one hand, to popularize the European perspective among Belarusians, and on the other, to explain to European partners why Belarus deserves to one day become part of the European family. If someone thinks this is obvious, it is not.
And finally – the most important part – my thanks.
I thank all the volunteers and organizers who achieved the incredible, preparing and holding such a large conference at this level with almost no resources.
Thanks to my Office, the representatives of the Cabinet and the Coordination Council, and the People’s Embassies who helped with the organization. A big thank you to the interpreters, the University of Warsaw, and the Centre for East European Studies, the esteemed Jan Malicki, the National Anti-Crisis Management, and the media platform Nexta. To all the journalists – thank you.
Thanks to all the participants, to the international guests, diplomats, and governments that support Belarus – the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and the authorities of Poland. We value your support and every step of solidarity. Thank you for all the words of encouragement we heard yesterday on the fifth anniversary of our protests.
Thank you to everyone who took to the streets yesterday despite fear and intimidation, in Warsaw and all over the world. To remind the world about Belarus. Events took place in nearly 20 countries. You know, yesterday I lost my voice while we were marching. We were chanting “Long Live Belarus!” so loudly. I truly felt that spirit – the spirit of 2020.
Thank you to all my colleagues here on stage with me today, and to all those who work quietly and without publicity for the sake of a New Belarus.
Today at the Conference, the atmosphere is like that of a true democratic parliament with heated debates and even walkouts. But it was already heated yesterday – Roza Turarbekava was teaching Dzmitry Shchygelski how to hold a dialogue, and Uladzimir Zhyhar almost bought Ivan Krautsou a ticket to Minsk.
The fact that we argue shows that we care. And the fact that we have different ideas and positions – that’s also good. Let there be disputes – and not like under the regime, when everyone obediently nods their heads.
Our strength lies in our diversity.
But let’s not only argue. Let’s also acknowledge and praise each other. Notice the positive. And look to the future with optimism.
If we have stood firm for five years, we will stand until victory. Once again, I thank you all for your participation. We are together. We continue our path – the path to a New Belarus.
Thank you!
Long Live Belarus!
