During her visit to Strasbourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which brought together foreign ministers from 46 member states.
In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Council of Europe for its principled stance, including ending cooperation with the regime and supporting the democratic forces of Belarus. She highlighted that the Council of Europe’s Contact Group on Belarus has set an example for other international organizations in working with the country’s democratic forces and civil society.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya acknowledged the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, who was awarded the Cross of Good Neighborhood earlier for his contribution to developing cooperation with democratic Belarus.
On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Ukraine is fighting not only for itself but for all of Europe, including Belarus. She stressed that a free and strong Ukraine will open the way for a democratic Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Like Ukrainians, we Belarusians want to see our country as a democratic, independent part of the European family, not part of the ‘Russian world’. As President Zelenskyy said this week, Europe is the best future for both Ukraine and Belarus. We share the same values and fight for the same future. The path is not easy, but I am confident that with allies like you, we will overcome all challenges”.
