Cichanoŭskaja discusses cooperation with Belgium monarch, Liechtenstein regent

January 19, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has called on Belgium’s King Philip to support the setting up of a foundation to help political prisoners, Cichanoŭskaja’s office reports.

Meeting at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, “they discussed the possibility of Belarus deploying troops to Ukraine and strikes from Belarusian territory,” it said.

Cichanoŭskaja told King Philip that Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime gave Russia control over military facilities in Belarus and over its territory.

She also invited the monarch and other leaders of Belgium “to take part in the opening of the Mission for Democratic Belarus in Brussels.”

The parties agreed to cooperate, the office said.

The meeting was attended by Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib. “She said that Belgium will provide financial support to Belarusian human rights defenders and to the platform for collecting evidence of Łukašenka’s crimes. Belgium opposes a visa ban for Belarus, but supports sanctions against regime accomplices,” it added.

It went on to say that Cichanoŭskaja met with Crown Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. The politician told him about the Belarusian authorities’ efforts to “stifle any dissent” and about reprisals against the media and patriots.

“They discussed Belarusian-Russian relations, as well as possible joint steps in international organizations,” the office said. “The prince said that Liechtenstein will take over the chairmanship of the Council of Europe in the second half of this year, which will be a good opportunity for cooperation within the organization.”

Alois reportedly said that Liechtenstein will consider supporting Belarusian human rights initiatives.