In the evening of December 12, the Belarusian democratic forces will hold a number of high-level meetings with EU leadership at the EU Council and the European Commission Brussels headquarters.
First, the negotiations of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will take place. On May 28, von der Leyen announced to Tsikhanouskaya that the EU had approved its €3 billion worth comprehensive plan of economic support for democratic Belarus. At their first personal meeting, they will discuss the evolution of EU-Belarus relations now and after Lukashenka's resignation.
Second, the Leader of democratic Belarus will hold negotiations with the President of the European Council Charles Michel. They will discuss Belarus' participation in the Eastern Partnership, as well as the EU strategy for Belarus.
Third, there will be a high-level multilateral meeting between the Belarusian democratic forces and EU member states ministers, joined by the President of the European Council Charles Michel and chaired by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell. Borrell is arranging this meeting ahead of the Eastern Partnership summit to agree on the format of Belarusian civil society participation in the EaP and other EU programs.
To represent the democratic forces, along with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, in the meeting will participate:
- National Anti-Crisis Management head Pavel Latushka,
- Coordination Council representative for civil society and one of the Belarusian National Platform leaders Andrei Yahorau,
- Coordination Council representative for business and innovation economy Tatsiana Marynich,
- Viktar Babaryka’s HQ representative Ivan Krautsou,
- representatives of the Viasna Human Rights Center, media, business communities and diasporas.
Among other issues, the meeting participants will discuss:
– the support for Belarusian civil society aimed at minimizing mistakes in the transition period;
– the scenarios for the start of a national dialogue on new elections in Belarus;
– the assistance to Belarus in the elaboration of economic and social reforms following the free elections.
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