“Dear co-chairs,
European parliamentarians,
Сolleagues from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
Dear friends,
I am honored to speak at the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly on behalf of the Belarusian people. And I am happy to see here the Belarus delegation – not Lukashenka’s regime's cronies, but those representatives who fearlessly fight for freedom in our country.
We really hope that the Parliamentary Assembly of Euronest will formalize the participation of the Belarusian democratic forces and political parties. The 10 seats reserved for Belarus should not be empty. The voice of Belarusins must be also heard.
Let me use this opportunity to thank the President of the Euronest PA Andrius Kubilius. Thank you for your efforts to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation within Eastern Partnership countries and to keep Belarus high on the agenda.
Let me also thank Juozas Olekas, who is heading the Group for relations with Belarus in the European Parliament. Three years of my political life shows that parliamentarians are braver and faster in non-conventional situations. And Belarus is precisely such case.
Therefore, we decided to strengthen our cooperation with parliaments of like-minded countries. We started to form the parliamentary groups "For Democratic Belarus" in national parliaments. Such groups already exist in 15 parliaments and have united over 200 parliamentarians, including those from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
Last year alone, these groups passed more than 20 resolutions on the situation in Belarus and Ukraine – condemning repression, recognizing Lukashenka's KGB as a terrorist organization, and calling for a special tribunal against the regime. I want to say special thanks to the leaders of these groups. Thank you for supporting Belarusian political prisoners and refugees, as well as organizing internships for young Belarusians.
I would like to use this opportunity to address the parliamentarians of Armenia and Azerbaijan. We would like to establish more cooperation with you and your parliaments. Let's start talking to each other now. My adviser on parliamentary cooperation, Anatoly Liabedzka is now in Chisinau and is ready for dialogue.
Dear friends,
Today, Belarusians are dealing with a dual crisis: on one hand, the collapse of democracy and human rights. On the other hand – threat to the existence of our state. Repressions are raging in Belarus, while the regime is giving away our sovereignty and destroying national identity to satisfy Kremlin’s demands.
It is evident that Lukashenka has done everything Putin wanted him to do in the aggression against Ukraine. And he must bear full responsibility for crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. But sometimes I hear voices that Lukashenka is a victim and must be saved. Let’s not be naive. As Lukashenka is ruling in Minsk, there will be a constant threat to Ukraine and entire Europe.
Dramatic events of 2020 and 2022 have changed Belarusian society forever. In 2020, when protests have started, there were not geopolitical at all. However, since 2020, pro-European moods are constantly growing among ordinary Belarusians. People don’t want to be affiliated with aggressor, but with Europe.
Pro-european aspirations of Belarusians must be supported. And we really hope, that Europe will keep the door open for Belarusian people. We don’t speak about the membership in the European Union. We speak about interparliamentary cooperation, projects within Eastern Partnership, participation of democratic Belarus in the international events and fora. We want to be part a realiable partner and neighbor. And we don’t have other future than future in Europe.
We see that the regime in Minsk is trying to isolate Belarus, and disrupt any links between Belarusians and the European Union. Eastern Partnership is one of a very few places where we can meet and work together. I wish the Eastern Partnership be not just a formal platform but also able to deliver real results. I wish the Eastern Partnership to help us to promote democratic values and defend human rights.
I see that the war in Ukraine pushed all other issues aside. And we fully understand it. While Russia is conducting atrocities in Bucha and Irpen, the regime of Lukashenka is running terror against people. Up to 5000 Belarus are behind bars for political reasons, and this number is growing daily. I want all of us not to ignore the issue of human rights and make all possible to release political prisoners in Belarus and other countries as well.
I also ask you to express international solidarity with political parties in Belarus. Since 2020, the regime liquidated about 1,800 NGOs and civil initiatives. Now, it is in process of liquidating political parties. Lukashenka is trying to restore the Soviet system with only one loyal party, like КПСС (Communist Party), and its branches. Party pluralism is the essential part of democracy, and must be preserved and protected.
Dear friends,
Let me once again thank you for organizing thus meeting, for your readiness to defend democratic values and peace on the European continent together with us.
I believe that free Belarus will be the best support for the victory of Ukraine. The strongest sanction for Putin's Russia. And of course, a faithful partner to Europe.
I want to emphasize that the struggle for democracy in Belarus is not just a struggle for our own country, but it is a struggle for the values that Europe stands for. We believe in the power of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We are fighting for a free and independent Belarus, with functional democratic institutions and accountable government.
We are now on a difficult path to Freedom. But I am happy that we have such allies on this path as you.
Thank you”.
