Minister Mélanie Joly informed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya about Canada's latest decisions on expanding sanctions against the Lukashenka regime and supporting civil society. The Minister emphasized that Canada continues to receive Belarusian refugees.
Ms. Joly stated that Canada continues to support Belarus’ democratic forces diplomatically. Jeanette Sautner, who previously was responsible for Belarus at the Canadian Embassy in Warsaw, has been appointed Ambassador to Lithuania.
Ms. Joly informed Ms. Tsikhanouskaya that Canada is prepared to regularly expand its sanctions lists against individuals and companies, as well as freeze assets and property of the regime if found in Canadian jurisdiction. At the same time, Canada continues to support independent media and civil society.
The parties also discussed the issue of potash exports. Canada is ready to provide potash to countries that had been dependent on supplies from Belarus before sanctions were imposed.
Ms. Joly and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the possibility of raising the issue of Belarus at the UN General Assembly and G7 events, as well as supporting Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine.
They also talked separately about holding the regime accountable through international courts for both repression against Belarusians and involvement in the war against Ukraine. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the new Belarusian passport project and urged Canada to support it.
Mélanie Joly invited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to visit Canada at the earliest opportunity.
“Belarus remains and will remain a priority for Canada. Canada has set a wonderful example of consistent and determined policy towards Belarus by supporting our initiatives at the UN and OSCE and differentiating between the regime and Belarusians. We have specific agreements on our further steps, and we will work to implement them,” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said.
