During her visit to Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon. The meeting took place as the country prepares to chair the UN Security Council in December. Slovenia took Belarus’ place on the Council after receiving 153 votes in the General Assembly, while Belarus received only 38.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya proposed holding a special Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council to address the issue of political prisoners in Belarus and regional security.
The two also discussed the situation of Belarusians living in Slovenia. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the country for easing their residence but noted that problems remain, including in opening bank accounts. The parties also discussed the possibility of expanding the issuance of Slovenian visas for Belarusians.
Minister Fajon invited Ms. Tsikhanouskaya to participate in the Bled Strategic Forum later this year.
“From the beginning, Slovenia has firmly supported Belarusians and democratic Belarus on the international stage. We feel this support across all political forces in the country. Slovenia is a great example of how to address Belarusian issues at the political level. The Belarusian community in Slovenia is deeply grateful for this solidarity”, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted.
