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Ernst-Dziedzic traf belarusische Oppositionselle in Bratislava
Vienna (OTS) – Greens foreign policy spokesperson Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic condemns the massive use of force by Belarusian security forces against peaceful protesters last weekend: “It is clear that Lukashenko still has not understood that he cannot go back in time, not even with all Violence. Sooner or later there will be no way to avoid free and fair elections under international observation in Belarus and a transition to democratic power structures. Belarusians fight for freedom and democracy. They must be given the ability to take their destiny into their own hands and help shape that of their country, and that within an orderly framework. “
The club’s deputy chief was in Bratislava last week and was able to meet with the opposition candidate for the presidential elections, Svetlana Tichanowskaja, in person on the sidelines of GLOBSEC, a leading forum for Central and Eastern Europe. He expressed his solidarity with both the opposition and the Belarusian population, who have been protesting in the streets for a democratic Belarus and for free and fair elections for weeks: “I am very pleased that the Foreign Ministry has also succeeded in getting Tichanovskaya to attend a short personal exchange at the airport. However, it can’t go on like this, ”says Ernst-Dziedzic, who had been trying for weeks to get Austria to contact Svetlana Tichanowskaja and the protesting civilian population.
At the end of September, the National Council approved a motion on Belarus in the Foreign Policy Committee, which calls on the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, in particular, to provide the Belarusian civil society and democracy movement with the best possible support from compliance with the European Union. “I am pleased that the Federal Minister has complied with Parliament’s request and advocates a reallocation of EU funds earmarked for the Belarusian authorities towards civil society. These are exactly the steps that the Belarusian democratic movement expects of us. Furthermore. , detailed discussions with Ms Tichanowskaja and concrete signals to civil society, such as visa liberalization or strengthening of university exchange programs, are important to jointly and specifically lobby the ruling Lukashenko and offer perspectives to the population, “says the foreign policy spokeswoman.
EU countries agreed today to sanction Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko if the situation does not improve. “After the last weeks, the renewed escalation of violence, the ongoing wave of arrests and the non-recognition of the Coordination Council, it is highly unlikely that the situation will improve rapidly. Lukashenko does not seem to have ambitions to negotiate on an equal footing and will probably only understand the clear language of the sanction, ”says Ernst-Dziedzic.
Queries and contact:
Green Club in Parliament
+ 43-1 40 110-6697
rush@gruene.at
