Opposition leader awards prominent Poles, Belarusians during Warsaw visit

January 9, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, who is in Poland on a three-day visit, presented awards to several Poles and exiled Belarusians yesterday for their contributions to the struggle for freedom in Belarus, her press office reported.
Elżbieta Smułkowa, linguist and the first Polish ambassador to Belarus, prominent Belarusian poet Uładzimir Niaklajeŭ, exiled publisher Andrej Januškievič, Jan Malicki of the Warsaw University’s Center for Eastern European Studies and Polish philanthropist Maciej Radziwiłł received medals distinguishing their intellectual and public activities.
“Belarusians and Poles have a long history of joint struggle for freedom and independence,” Cichanoŭskaja said. “I am sure that the major victory is still ahead of us. This victory will have its own day – the day when Belarus and Poland will become neighbors in the European Union. Today we are presenting awards on behalf of the transition cabinet to people who have worked hard to bring this day closer.”
The politician stressed the importance of promoting the Belarusian language and heritage amid ongoing Russification and increased Russian presence.
Cichanoŭskaja also met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk yesterday, who assured her that Belarus will be a priority during Poland’s presidency of the European Union.
The Belarusian politician is expected to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and other top officials.

Cichanoŭskaja to push for Belarus strategy during Poland visit
- PoliticsEU to allocate funding to Belarusian independent media, rights groupsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsRussian MPs vote to allow Belarusians to participate in local electionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBundestag’s far-right members question German government about Belarus-linked expendituresThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyAgricultural production down 2.7 percent in H1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełstat: corporate debt up 31 percent in January-MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Economy
- EconomyReal income’s rise slows down in January–MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSCO foreign ministers hold conference with Chinese leaderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPoland grants asylum to about 1,000 Belarusians this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: exiled blogger charged with insulting state symbolsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityMinsk ratifies classified info deal with MyanmarThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCall to free Belarus rights activistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityBelarus region schedules alarm system testThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityCommanders pass fitness test on Łukašenka’s ordersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna leadership arrest has not stopped human rights defense – lawyerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics