Cichanoŭskaja discussed regional security issues with the speakers of the major Bundestag foreign policy groups

February 5, BPN. Sviatlana Cichanoŭskaja discussed the situation in Belarus and the regional security issues with the speakers of the largest groups of the German Bundestag responsible for foreign policy. German MPs arrived in Lithuania on a three-day visit for meetings in the government and in the Seimas, as well as with the representatives of the Bundeswehr and the Belarusian opposition, the press service of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary group reported.

The delegation includes Niels Schmid, SPD parliamentary group’s spokesperson for foreign affairs, Jürgen Trittin, speaker for the Greens’ foreign affairs group, Ulrich Lechte, head of the Free Democratic Party parliamentary group in the Bundestag’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Jürgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesperson of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.

“By meeting with representatives of the Belarusian opposition we are showing that we stand firmly on the side of the Belarusian democratic movement, that can count on our support in the future as well. Despite Lukašenka’s repressions, we will not forget the desire of people in Belarus for freedom. We demand the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus,” the delegation said in a statement.

According to Cichanoŭskaja’s press service, Belarusian democratic leader “thanked Germany for refusing to recognize Lukašenka’s regime as well as for supporting independent media and political prisoners, noting Germany’s strong stance on sanctions.”

Cichanoŭskaja “discussed the security of Belarus and possible reactions in case Lukašenka continued to threaten regional security” with German MPs.

The sides considered “bringing the perpetrators of the crimes to justice.” It was noted that at least two cases “for crimes against humanity committed by Lukašenka and associates of the regime” are currently under review in Germany.

Cichanoŭskaja invited German MPs to join the International Day of Solidarity with Independent Media on February 9 and the Kalinoŭski Forum on March 22.

“A free, democratic Belarus will be the key to peace and stability in the region. I am glad that the Bundestag is well aware of this. Belarus will be a reliable partner for Germany in the future,” she said.

Niels Schmid stressed that the Bundestag would not recognize the constitutional referendum in Belarus and expressed concerns that “the regime planned to remove neutral and non-nuclear status from the constitution.”