Mayor Virginia Raggi greeted Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in the municipal council of Rome. They discussed possible exchange programs and scholarships for students, artists, musicians who had been repressed or were involved in the democratic movement in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called to organize an exhibition or other event dedicated to the situation in Belarus, so that the people of Rome know more about our struggle for freedom.
Support for the women’s movement was also discussed. Virginia Raggi stressed that for her and the people of Rome, women’s unity was of particular importance. They talked about the possibility of meetings, programs for Belarusian women fighting for freedom, and support for women political prisoners. Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya and Virginia Raggi agreed to maintain communication and bring Rome and Belarus closer together.
Also today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a conference on Belarus at the Institute of International Relations (IAI) with the participation of 55 experts and specialists in international relations. During the conference, discussions were held on negotiating formats, how to pressure the regime and support civil society, the effectiveness of sanctions, and what else Italy could do to help Belarusians.
«The regime can never suffocate the protest spirit. People organize themselves: workers prepare a strike, activists seek safe forms of resistance. For a year now, we have maintained the unity of the democratic forces. The solution to the crisis lies in the hands of the Belarusians themselves. But with international support, it can be solved faster – and then we can move faster to sustainable change and avoid violence and new victims», Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted.
Moreover, today the Belarusian leader met with the Italian Minister for European Affairs, Enzo Ameldona, and they discussed joint actions in the European Union and international organizations. Also, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with one of the leaders of the Italian party Movimento 5 Stelle, former Italian Secretary of State Emanuela Del Re. Earlier meetings had been held with ambassadors and diplomats from New Zealand, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Lithuania, and Poland.
Yesterday Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, the leaders of the main Italian parties, the Speaker of the Parliament, and spoke about the situation in Belarus to major Italian media.
