Yesterday, May 31, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Rotterdam on a one-day working visit. As part of her visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Congress of the European People's Party. About 50 leaders of governments and major European parties attended the Congress, including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger, and others.
In her address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged European politicians to distinguish between the Belarusian people and the regime. She drew attention to the descent-based discrimination against Belarusians and, in particular, Belarusian students. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya suggested introducing a visa-free regime for Belarusians, maintaining sanctions against the regime's accomplices, and not making any deals with the dictators.
The national leader of Belarus called to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Belarusian democratic forces, as well as expedite the development and adoption of the “Marshall Plan for Belarus”, which could facilitate rapid reforms after the transition of power in Belarus. “It would be a strong sign to Belarusians that their struggle is not in vain”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted.
The full text of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's speech at the summit of the European People's Party is available in Belarusian, Russian, and English.
Watch the recording of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's address at the link.
