Cichanoŭskaja’s aide: Consultative Group to shape EU ties with democratic Belarus

June 29, BPN. The establishment of the Consultative Group is a strong step on the part of the European Union (EU) to formalize relations with Belarus’ pro-democracy forces, Franak Viačorka has told BPN.

Earlier, only representatives of Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime were included in similar groups, the aide to the Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja added.

The Group convened for its first meeting on June 29 in Brussels with 25 people participating, Viačorka said. Members of the European Council, the European External Action Service, the European Commission, and officials dealing with Belarus attended the session.

The Belarusian side was represented by members of the Coordinating Council, the opposition’s transition cabinet, the teams of Cichanoŭskaja and former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka, human rights defenders, media and culture representatives.

The meeting focused on human rights in Belarus as well as joint strategies to assist Belarusian civil society, facilitate travel for Belarusians, support independent media support and maintain contact between the EU and Belarus’ pro-democracy forces.

Viačorka described the session as “very productive and informative,” praising increased Belarusian presence on the European agenda. “There should be more Europe on the Belarusian agenda too,” he said.

“This is a big step forward,” Viačorka stressed in the context of the United States’ plans to launch a strategic dialogue with the Belarusian opposition and civil society in late 2023.

Cichanoŭskaja urged the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel to appoint a special representative for Belarus as she addressed the Group’s first meeting.

The Council of Europe’s contact group on Belarus has been operating since November 2022. It includes Belarusian opposition and civil society activists.