May 28, Pozirk. Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro have discussed sanctions against the regime of Alaksandar Łukašenka during the Belarusian opposition leader’s visit to Portugal, the United Transitional Cabinet (UTC) reported yesterday.
The Belarusian politician expressed hope for “fruitful and close cooperation with Portugal” and encouraged Lisbon to isolate the regime but not the Belarusians.
She also discussed sanctions, including on Belarusian potash fertilizers.
“Portugal used to be among the countries that, according to journalists, proposed easing restrictions on fertilizer trade from Belarus,” the UTC said.
Cichanoŭskaja called on Portugal to “stick to the policy of sanctions until all political prisoners are released.”
The opposition leader also called on the government to organize joint events on Portugal’s transition from dictatorship to democracy and transitional justice.
The UTC chairwoman plans to meet with the Portuguese foreign minister and attend the European forum Concordia on peace and security across the continent.
The forum will be held behind closed doors in Porto, bringing together officials, politicians and diplomats from dozens of countries.
On January 8, National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) head Pavieł Łatuška linked a disparity in sanctions against Russia and Belarus to opposition from several European Union (EU) members.
In particular, Portugal blocked a new package against the Łukašenka regime and discussed the lifting of sanctions on Belarusian potash, he said.
Last year, the Belarusian opposition made a significant effort to prevent the lifting of potash sanctions, he added. According to Łatuška, the issue concerns the regime’s billions and corruption schemes.
Despite negotiations with officials from the EU and individual countries, such as Germany and France, the stalemate remains, the Belarusian opposition politician said.
In 1932–1968, Portugal was ruled by dictator António de Oliveira Salazar.
