On September 8, 2022, the Council of Europe established the Contact Group on Relations with Belarus, becoming the first intergovernmental organization to let civil society represent a country. The group was intended to assist the Council of Europe in developing positions on Belarus, coordinate and implement projects in various fields, and help prepare reform projects for future Belarus.
Such systematic cooperation with the Council of Europe has been an important step towards Belarus' European integration. Belarusian democratic forces and civil society have established solid contacts with the Council of Europe, enabling them to keep Belarus on the agenda. The activities of the Contact Group have also strengthened cooperation between PACE and Belarusian political parties.
The Contact Group has held three sessions, two of which were attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Over the past year, a plan was developed to support representatives of civil society and democratic forces. It consists of 15 provisions, including events for independent journalists, Belarusian lawyers, and youth. Currently, work is underway to support leaders of local communities and organize internships for lawyers in CoE bodies.
PACE has also adopted a resolution on the situation of Belarusians in exile developed in cooperation with the Contact Group. This resolution provides specific proposals and calls on the Council of Europe member states to support Belarusians abroad.
