Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Tallinn on a working trip. She took part in the official opening of the Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus, which will be led by Vitaly Malchanau, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative in Estonia and Latvia. The event featured speeches by Estonian and Belarusian politicians, as well as an award ceremony honoring Marko Koplimaa, Estonia’s Special Representative for the Democratic Forces of Belarus.
The opening ceremony was attended by influential politicians and diplomats, including the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu; the Chairman of the Tallinn City Council, Toomas Kruusimägi; the Secretary General of the Estonian MFA, Jonatan Vseviov; the Special Representative of Estonia for the Democratic Forces of Belarus, Marko Koplimaa; and representatives of the Estonian MFA – Riina Kaljurand, Erika Ellamaa-Ots, and Kärt Juhasoo-Lawrence. Also present were the Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia, Maria Gratschew, representatives of the Tallinn city government, as well as ambassadors and diplomats from Finland, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Moldova, Latvia, France, the USA, Romania, Canada, Ukraine, and other countries.
In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support and highlighted the historical ties between Belarus and Estonia, as well as their shared struggle for freedom and European values:
“Unfortunately, Estonians know too well what occupation means. You understand what is happening today in the occupied territories of Ukraine, what is happening in Belarus – and who is behind all of this.
That is why we – Belarusians, Estonians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Latvians, Georgians, Moldovans – must stand together. We must do everything possible to prevent Putin from restoring the Russian Empire – the prison of nations.
Today, Estonia is helping Belarusians and Ukrainians fight against Russian imperialism. After Lukashenka’s violent seizure of power in 2020, Estonia welcomed hundreds of Belarusian political refugees. Many have stayed in Estonia, contributing to the country’s economy, society, and democracy. We are deeply grateful for the helping hand you have extended to us in these difficult times.
I am confident that our mission in Tallinn will bring practical results”.
