VISIT TO STOCKHOLM
On May 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Stockholm, where she held a meeting at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to discuss support for Belarusian civil society and democratic forces, as well as international solidarity with Belarus. She also spoke at the Youth, Gender, and Democracy for Belarus Forum and the Eastern Partnership Youth Conference. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a discussion hosted by the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies and joined a weekly rally in support of Ukraine.
CALL WITH JOHN COALE AND CHRISTOPHER SMITH
On May 13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a phone call with the Special Envoy of the United States to Belarus, John Coale, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe, Christopher Smith.
“I am grateful for today’s phone call with John Coale and Christopher Smith. I expressed my sincere gratitude to President Trump and his team for helping secure the release of more than 500 political prisoners in Belarus. President Donald Trump has stated that the goal is to secure the release of them all, and I am confident in the success of these humanitarian efforts”.
MEETING WITH URSULA VON DER LEYEN
On May 14, during her visit to Aachen, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She called for continued support for Belarusian independent media, civic, cultural, and educational initiatives.
The European Union is currently discussing the continuation of funding programs supporting Belarusian NGOs, journalists, and democratic initiatives. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of the ongoing work of Belarusian NGOs.
OPENING OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE INFORMATION POINT FOR BELARUSIANS
On May 12, the Council of Europe Information Point for Belarusians was officially opened in Vilnius as a joint initiative of Lithuania and the Council of Europe. It is the first permanent Council of Europe platform for Belarusians in exile and is expected to operate for at least five years. The Information Point will serve as a place where Belarusians can access information on human rights, support programs, educational and cultural opportunities, and develop cooperation with European institutions.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, and the Speaker of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas.
MEETING WITH ALAIN BERSET
On May 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also held a separate meeting in Vilnius with Alain Berset of the Council of Europe. They discussed the next steps for the functioning of the Information Point, particularly ways to ensure it is as useful as possible for Belarusians and civil society.
BRIEFING FOR AMBASSADORS AND SPECIAL ENVOYS
On May 13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing in Vilnius for diplomats. Participants included representatives of Lithuania, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, Latvia, the Netherlands, Israel, Finland, Estonia, Croatia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Spain, Norway, Romania, the United States, Germany, Japan, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and the Nordic Council.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that her Office continues its work and that Lithuania remains one of the closest and most important partners of the democratic forces.
MEDIA
Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), Zerkalo (Belarus), AP News (International), Zerkalo (Belarus), Nikkei (Japan), Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden), Council of Europe (International), Belsat (Belarus), DW (Belarus), 1st Channel of Armenian Public TV (Armenia).
