This year, as Malta chairs the OSCE, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs serves as the organization’s chairman. Malta is also a member of the UN Security Council. Recently, the country supported the activities of the Council of Europe’s Contact Group on Cooperation with Belarusian Democratic Forces and joined the sanctions, as well as voted in favor of the statement by the EU foreign ministers on support for the civil society of Belarus and the mobility of Belarusians.
Malta became the 26th EU country visited by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Hungary now remains the last European Union country that has not yet received the Belarusian leader.
During her working visit to Malta, the Belarusian leader signed the Letter of Intent on Cooperation with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and met with several key state politicians to discuss cooperation between the democratic forces of Belarus and the European Union, as well as coordinated steps in the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the UN Security Council. In addition, the parties talked about possible steps to release political prisoners and support the repressed and their families. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor and Representative of the United Transitional Cabinet for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski, also took part in the meetings.
What was discussed at the meetings?
⚪️ Negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta, Dr. Ian Borg, lasted 4 hours. The minister emphasized that Malta is ready to support the initiatives of democratic forces in the international arena. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya suggested that Dr. Borg raise the Belarusian issue during the OSCE Ministerial Council, as well as push for a special OSCE representative for Belarus. They also discussed ways to raise the Belarusian issue in the UN Security Council. Dr. Borg noted that while the Maltese Embassy in Moscow used to handle affairs for Belarus, responsibility has now shifted to the Maltese Embassy in Warsaw.
🔴 President of Malta, Myriam Debono, received Ms. Tsikhanouskaya in her residence. The president emphasized Malta’s principled position in supporting the democratic forces of Belarus. The Belarusian leader proposed that Malta support the international humanitarian fund in support of the repressed and political prisoners in Belarus.
⚪️ Speaker of the Parliament, Angelo Farrugia, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the formation of a parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called on the MPs to become symbolic godparents for Belarusian political prisoners, as well as invited them to hold a hearing on Belarus and adopt a resolution on Belarus. Speaker Farrugia noted that the Maltese Parliament does not have a single member who would support the Lukashenka regime.
