During the Concordia Europe Summit in Porto, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel. They discussed sanctions against the Lukashenka regime, particularly concerning exports of potassium fertilizers. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for synchronizing the sanctions and closing loopholes to make the restrictions more effective, while also not isolating Belarusians but supporting them. She invited the minister to seek solutions for the legalization of stay problems faced by Belarusians living in Portugal (currently 1,400 people) and by Belarusian companies that relocated to Portugal due to repression in Belarus. These companies primarily operate in the IT sector.
The parties also discussed holding a conference on transitioning from dictatorship to democracy, noting Portugal’s positive experience with such a transition. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya proposed that such a conference be held in Portugal, bringing together Belarusian and international experts to discuss restoring legality, transitional justice, and rebuilding democratic institutions.
The Belarusian leader called on Portugal to continue supporting Ukraine and, at the same time, democratic Belarus. The meeting also covered cooperation with the Global South countries, as Portugal has significant influence in Portuguese-speaking countries in South America and Africa.
Additionally, the parties discussed cooperation within international organizations in the European Union and beyond, as well as cultural cooperation.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya asked the minister to support the mobility of Belarusians so they can travel to the European Union. It is crucial to isolate the regime without isolating the people of Belarus.
Minister Paulo Rangel, who was appointed to his position a few months ago, had previously met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya several times as a member of the European Parliament. During the meeting, he assured the Belarusian leader of Portugal’s full support for the democratic forces of Belarus.
