{"id":185016,"date":"2026-04-26T17:18:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/185016\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T17:18:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:18:38","slug":"planned-opening-of-council-of-europe-information-point-for-belarusians-in-vilnius-unprecedented-politician-says","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/185016\/","title":{"rendered":"Planned opening of Council of Europe information point for Belarusians in Vilnius unprecedented, politician says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

April 26, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The Council of Europe (CE) is soon to open an information point for Belarusians in Vilnius in a move that opposition politician Franak Via\u010dorka has described as unprecedented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The point will promote CE values to Belarusians and strengthen Belarusian communities in Lithuania and elsewhere in the European Union, he told Pozirk.<\/em>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur objective is to have Belarus join the CE in the future,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe information point is like a CE embassy. It cannot be opened in Minsk at present [because of opposition from the authoritarian government]. But we will make it work in Belarus as soon as possible after democratic change so that Belarusians have access to CE tools to defend their rights and opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The information point will operate under an agreement between Lithuania and the CE, lrt.lt reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus is not a member of the CE and has no CE country office or liaison center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius suggested that it could be based at the Martinas Ma\u017evydas National Library and should not be required to pay a rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lithuanian government pledged to exempt the information point or cover its expenses on any taxes that it might be otherwise required to pay when purchasing goods and services for official use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CE is to pay for equipment, office maintenance, staff and other needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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