During her official visit to Rome, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met at the Farnesina with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani.
She thanked the Italian Foreign Ministry for its political support for the democratic forces of Belarus and particularly highlighted the work of Italian diplomats. She also expressed gratitude that Italy is among the leaders in issuing Schengen visas and noted that for many years, Italy has hosted Belarusian children for rehabilitation programs.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that, in part thanks to Italy, the issue of Belarus has remained on the international agenda for more than five years. Minister Antonio Tajani and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed cooperation in international organizations and recalled the minister’s invitation to the G7 meetings in Capri.
The Belarusian leader noted that despite several recent releases, repression in Belarus continues, the regime keeps detaining new political prisoners, hybrid attacks against its neighbors continue, and Lukashenka supports Russia in the war. She stressed that pressure and sanctions must continue until real changes in policy are seen.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for maintaining opportunities for Belarusians to obtain visas and access humanitarian programs so that they can keep contacts with Europe. She proposed that Italy join the International Humanitarian Fund that supports repressed Belarusians.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Minister Tajani is a great ally and a friend of Belarus. Despite the distance between our countries, Italy demonstrates real leadership vis-a-vis Belarus through its political support, firm stance, and the number of visas issued. Italy distinguishes between the Belarusian people and the regime and between Belarus and Russia”.
