November 27, Pozirk. The first round of strategic consultations between Canada and Belarusian opposition yesterday in Ottawa focused on accountability for Alaksandar Łukašenka and his officials, opposition politician Franak Viačorka told Pozirk.
The sides also discussed support to Belarusian independent media, the upcoming presidential election in Belarus as well as political and military developments in Eastern Europe, he added.
Participants included Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, her team, members of the Warsaw-based National Anti-Crisis Management, Canadian government and foreign ministry officials and Catherine Godin, Canada’s ambassador in Warsaw in charge of relations with Belarus.
“We are opening a new chapter in the Belarusian-Canadian relationship,” Cichanoŭskaja said in her opening address. “Though 4,000 miles divide our countries, we are united by the same values and goals: the desire to live in peace and freedom.”
“The strategic consultations we are launching today will strengthen our cooperation, bolster support for independent media, hold Łukašenka’s regime accountable and make sanctions more effective. Canada’s voice in these efforts is crucial,” the politician stressed.
Canada may also “play a vital role” in Belarus’ democratic transition by helping it draft reforms, write a new Constitution, prepare future leaders and guide reconciliation, she noted.
Consultations with Canada are based on the strategic dialogue of the Belarusian pro-democracy forces with the United States, launched one year ago in Washington and scheduled to continue next month in Vilnius.
