During her working visit to Sofia, the Belarusian leader met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Mariya Gabriel. During the meeting, they discussed the Russian threat to Belarus’ independence, accountability for the regime, as well as support for civic initiatives and media. Specifically, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya invited Bulgaria to consider appointing a special envoy for relations with democratic Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also raised the issue of issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to Belarusians in Minsk as Bulgaria will join the Schengen area in a couple of weeks. The minister informed Ms. Tsikhanouskaya that Bulgaria intends to issue Schengen visas to Belarusians.
The parties discussed the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Bulgaria. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya proposed developing a comprehensive solution that would allow Belarusians to stay legally in the country and obtain alien passports or asylum.
The Belarusian leader also called for recognizing expired Belarusian passports as valid.
The discussions addressed the current situation with political prisoners in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the situation of Andrei Hniot, detained in Serbia through Interpol. The leader noted that the regime uses Interpol to persecute political opponents and urged the minister to be aware of such situations and verify requests from the regime.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also discussed with the Minister the resolution on Belarus, which will be considered by the UN Human Rights Council in the spring. Bulgaria is a member of the Council, so the leader proposed supporting two mandates on Belarus – a special rapporteur and an expert group tasked with gathering evidence of the regime’s crimes.
Ms. Gabriel and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed a rehabilitation and recreation program for the children of political prisoners and repressed individuals from Belarus which could be launched in Bulgaria, as well as events to support female political prisoners.
