NEW BELARUS TRANSITION STRATEGY. On December 13, Belarus’ political bodies, civil society organizations, and think-tanks presented the New Belarus Transition Strategy for public discussion. It foresees 4 possible scenarios of the transition of power and proposes potential responses by the democratic forces and international community. There are several reasons why the Strategy is relevant right now, not just in the future. It aims to ensure the transition of power and the establishment of a democratic government in Belarus, rendering the re-emergence of a dictatorship impossible. The Strategy is available in Belarusian and Russian. Questions, suggestions, and comments are accepted through the @AskOffice_Bot Telegram bot and the New Belarus platform.
BELARUS-EU. On December 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Brussels with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. They announced additional support for Belarusians: “I know, dear Sviatlana, that this is just a drop in the ocean of what the Belarusian people and opposition need, but we are doing everything we can to support you”. 30 million euros will go toward scholarships for students, aid for the repressed, and assistance to human rights defenders, repressed businesses, journalists, and NGOs. 5 million euros was allocated to Belarusian culture projects.
The Belarusian leader also addressed the EU Foreign Affairs Council and outlined strategic priorities for Belarus, calling for appointing an EU special envoy for Belarus, supporting civil society, and demanding the release of political prisoners.
On December 12, the EU–Belarus Consultative Group held a meeting in Brussels. Belarus was represented by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, Viktar Babaryka’s HQ, Press Club Belarus, RADA Youth Council, and Belarusian human rights defenders. The dialogue with the democratic forces was led by representatives of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the Strategic Communications Department of the EU. The discussions focused on the following issues: 1) defending the independence of Belarus; 2) supporting Belarusians in exile, simplifying visa procedures and the legalization of stay; 3) supporting civil society; 4) achieving the release of political prisoners 5) maintaining sanctions and holding the regime to account. The parties agreed to continue cooperation within the working groups. At the meeting, the Belarusian leader called for supporting the European aspirations of Belarusians and preparing the Belarus’ Association Agreement with the European Union to reinforce the country’s European future.
BELARUS-SWEDEN. In Brussels, Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Tobias Billström, and Sweden’s Special Envoy for Relations with Democratic Belarus, Christina Johannesson. They discussed plans for 2024, including a series of joint events and programs to support Belarusian culture and a Belarusian-Swedish conference.
VISIT TO BELGIUM. During her visit to Belgium, the Belarusian leader met with the President of the Belgian Senate, Stephanie D’Hose, to discuss cooperation in the international Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as a possible Senate resolution on Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with the Minister-President of Flanders, Jan Jambon. Mr. Jambon and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya talked about the participation of representatives of democratic Belarus in the Conference of EU Ministers of Culture, where they could discuss support for Belarusian national identity.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE. The Council of Europe Contact Group on Belarus held a meeting in Strasbourg, during which the Council of Europe agreed on providing training for Belarusian lawyers according to the CoE standards, which will include seminars, educational campaigns, and master classes. The parties agreed on a series of seminars and conferences to increase youth participation in the democratic process.
BELARUS-LITHUANIA. On December 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Seimas during a hearing initiated by her Office and dedicated to the legal status of Belarusians in Lithuania. The Belarusian leader called on Lithuania to extend the validity of visas and residence permits and refrain from disproportionate restrictions on the grounds of Belarusian nationality. “I beg you not to put us in the same basket with Russians. Because it is exactly what dictators want”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said. The Committee agreed to support the proposal to extend residence permits to 3 years, but the decision is yet to be approved by the Seimas.
After talks with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Lithuanian Seimas, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the press. In an interview, the leader thanked the Lithuanian people for their support and noted that Lithuania has been showing an example of principled and consistent struggle for freedom: “For us, Belarusians, Lithuania is more than just a neighbor. It is more than just a haven. It is a beacon of hope and an example of principled and consistent struggle for freedom. We are fighting against the same enemy, the imperial ambitions of Russia, and for the same future – in the European Union. The support of Lithuania is truly important for us”.
BELARUS-POLAND. On December 11, the Belarusian leader congratulated Donald Tusk on being elected as the Prime Minister of Poland: “Heartfelt congratulations to Donald Tusk on becoming the Prime Minister of Poland. I am grateful to you for all the support you have provided to Belarus over the years. And I hope for close cooperation that will accelerate the democratic transition in our country”. Ms. Tsikhanoukaya also congratulated Radosław Sikorski, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION. On December 6, the Cross-Party Forum “8+100” was held in the European Parliament, bringing together representatives of Belarusian and European political parties. As a result of the Forum, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation with political prisoners in Belarus. The resolution demands the regime to immediately release Mikalai Statkevich, who has not been heard from for 300 days, as well as all other political prisoners. The document also states that political prisoners must be entitled to rehabilitation and financial compensation for the damage caused.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. At the end of her working visit to Belgium, the Belarusian leader visited the Ghent University, where she met with the leadership of the institution and gave a lecture. During the discussion with the Vice-Rector, Mieke Van Herreweghe, and other professors, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need for educational programs for Belarusian students and proposed launching a support program for them. The parties also discussed increasing scholarship funding for Belarusian students and researchers.
SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned repression against Belarusian writers and their works. She noted: “In November, the regime labeled collections of Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich’s works as extremist. Earlier, the novel “Kalasy pad Siarpom Tvaim” by Uladzimir Karatkevich was removed from the school curriculum. The regime fears that these works might help children and adults strengthen their national identity and develop immunity to the regime’s propaganda and falsehoods”. The leader also shared several platforms where works by Belarusian authors and foreign literature translated into Belarusian are available online.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to the Washington Post (USA, international), CNN (USA, international), Euronews (International), Euroradio (Belarus), Pozirk (Belarus), The Moscow Times (International), Voice of America (USA, international), TVP World (Poland), Voice of America (USA, Russian service).
