“Dear Chairman Löfven,
Dear Pedro Sánchez,
Dear delegates of PES Congress,
Friends of democracy, and friends of free Belarus,
I would like to start today by congratulating the Belarusian Social Democrats with their 120-year anniversary.
Belarusian social democrats were the main power behind Belarusian independence declared more than a century ago. Then, they were fighting against tyranny and Russian dominance. And they bravely do today.
In this hall, we have representatives of Belarusian Social Democratic Party and “Narodnaya Hramada”. Despite political crackdown and arrests of their leaders, these courageous people didn’t give up and continue to fight for free Belarus. Let’s give them a round of applause!
I am confident that one day, Belarusian social democrats along with other political parties from Belarus will be debating in the European Parliament.
I am confident that one day, my country will become a member of the free family of European nations. Because without Belarus, Ukraine, or Moldova – the European project will never be finished.
European Union – from Malaga to Minsk, from Lisbon to Tbilisi. Today, it might seem like a distant dream.
But for us – it’s not just a dream. It’s the goal.
Our goal is to build a country where the government serves the people, not vice versa. This is why we look up to Europe, where social rights are guaranteed, not just declared.
Our goal is to return Belarus to democracy. Because under tyranny, there are no independent trade unions. No climate awareness. No LGBTQ rights. No gender equality. And, of course, no elections.
Our goal is to wrest Belarus from Russian claws. We lived for too long in the shadow of Russia. But not anymore! Belarus is not Russia. Belarus is Europe.
Dear friends,
This path to freedom might be difficult, but it’s the only right one. And we can’t win this fight alone. We need allies, and champions of free Belarus. Many of them are here among us.
Champions like Prime Minister Sánchez, Minister José Albares and Secretary Hana Jalloul. You stopped collaborating with the illegitimate regime, and extended your hand to Belarusian freedom fighters. Thank you!
Champions like Juozas Olekas who made Belarus the central topic in the European Parliament. Your resolution on Belarus sent the clear message to the regime: there won’t be impunity. Every perpetrator will be brought to justice! Thank you!
Champions like Mr. David Lemmy and Mr. Joe Corry-Roake, who keep Belarus on the UK’s agenda. Thank you!
Champions like chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was one of the first german politicians i met in 2020. Or Franz Timmermans, who visited me in Vilnius in the very beginning of my political path, and inspired me to continue fight, no matter what. Thank you.
I invite each of you in this room to become a champion for free Belarus!
Dear friends,
In 2020, PES launched the campaign “We hear you, Belarus”. Today, we need to hear that from Europe again.
Tomorrow, November 12, join the international Day of Solidarity with Belarus. As we speak here, thousands are behind bars. Among them, four dozen trade union leaders and social democrats. They must hear: we won’t stop fighting until every one of them is free.
And finally – let’s help Ukraine to win this war. Victory of Ukraine will be the ultimate defeat of Putin and Lukashenka.
Many Belarusians fight for Ukrainian freedom as we speak. Many of them gave their lives in this fight. Because we understand that it’s not just their fight – it’s our common fight for freedom.
Long Live Belarus! Long Live Europe!”
