On June 17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Brussels with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Séamus Boland. The parties discussed the situation in Belarus, support for civil society, implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed last year between the EESC and the democratic forces of Belarus, and new mechanisms for institutional cooperation.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the EESC leadership for its consistent support for Belarus, for organizing her speech at the Committee’s plenary session, a dedicated event on Belarus, and for keeping Belarus on the agenda in Brussels.
She proposed establishing an advisory or working group on Belarus within the EESC that could serve as a permanent platform for cooperation with Belarusian civil society organizations. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that Belarus represents a unique case, as its civil society largely operates in exile and requires dedicated mechanisms for cooperation with European institutions.
The parties also addressed the situation of independent trade unions in Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that all independent trade unions in the country have been dissolved and their leaders imprisoned. Mr. Boland and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also discussed possible joint campaigns in support of trade unions and political prisoners in Belarus.
Other proposals included expanding internship programs for Belarusian students and young professionals, supporting independent media, organizing cultural and educational initiatives, launching joint campaigns against disinformation, and ensuring that Belarus is more actively included in European discussions on security, democracy, and the future of Europe.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am grateful to the EESC for viewing Belarus not as a problem but as a future partner. While the regime is trying to isolate Belarusians from Europe, we must build new bridges. It is people — civil society, independent trade unions, journalists, and cultural figures — who will form the foundation of a new democratic Belarus”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the plenary meeting of the EESC and took part in a discussion on Belarus. As part of her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and gave interviews to RTÉ (Ireland) and ANSA (Italy).
The European Economic and Social Committee is an advisory body of the European Union representing employers, trade unions, and civil society organizations from EU member states. In June 2025, the EESC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the democratic forces of Belarus, despite Belarus not being an EU member state or candidate country.
