Make Belarus the priority of the EU presidency, Cichanouská asked in Prague – ČT24 – Czech Television
Adamová stated that during the presidency in the second half of this year, the Czechia is preparing, among other things, two major events in the Chamber focused on the Eastern Partnership. “It is important that we follow up on this initiative and pay attention to countries that often fight for their democracy,” she said. The support of the opposition fighting for democracy is very close to the Czech Republic due to its history, she added.
Cichanouská asked Pekarová Adamová to make the Czechia a priority of its presidency. He also hopes to form a group of friends of free Belarus in the Czech parliament.
The Eastern Partnership is a project launched by the European Union in the framework of the Union’s neighborhood policy. The aim of the project is closer cooperation with six countries in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, including Belarus and Ukraine. The founding meeting took place during the Czech EU Presidency in May 2009 in Prague.
Without a free Ukraine, Belarus will not be free, Cichanouska said
The Speaker of the House said that the majority of the Belarusian population is on the side of democracy and does not want the continuation of the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko. According to her, the war in Ukraine partially casts a shadow over what is happening in Belarus, which she wants to change with Tuesday’s meeting. According to her, the Czechia must persevere in the background of the Belarusian opposition even after the presidency. “We have to do so at all levels,” she added.
According to the Cichanous Belarusians, they do not want to live in tyranny and want to be part of Europe. “We are still fighting for Belarus, but also for Ukraine. Without a free Ukraine, Belarus will not be free, just as without a free Belarus, Ukraine will not be safe, “she said. According to her, ordinary Belarusians are against the war and support Ukraine.
Cichanouská lives in exile, in 2020 she ran for president instead of her husband, blogger Sjarheje Cichanouský. He was sentenced last year to 18 years in prison for preparing and organizing mass riots and incitement to social hatred. Along with him, Belarus has sentenced five other opposition activists and critics of the Belarusian regime to long prison terms. The West condemned the verdicts.
At the invitation of Senate President Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), Cichanouská paid a four-day visit to the Czech Republic last June. She also met with President Miloš Zeman, then Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO), Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek (ČSSD), House Speaker Radek Vondráček (ANO), Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) and representatives of some parliamentary parties.
This week, the leader of the Belarusian opposition will speak at the international conference of the Václav Havel Library Truth and Democracy, she will also negotiate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský (Pirates) in addition to Vystrčil.