The Polish foreign minister stressed Warsaw’s continued support for the Belarusian opposition in its efforts to democratise Belarus. He emphasised that a strong and sovereign Belarus is essential to peace and security in our region and across Europe. In this context, he recalled that 25 March marks the 104th anniversary of the declaration of independence by the Belarusian Democratic Republic, which is observed by democratic circles as Freedom Day. On this occasion, Minister Rau conveyed his wishes to the Belarusian people and stressed that they deserve a European, independent and democratic state.

The head of the Polish MFA thanked the leader of the Belarusian opposition for taking a strong stance condemning Belarus’s involvement in the Russian-led war against Ukraine. At the same time, he pointed out that by making their territory available to Russia for aggression against Ukraine, the authorities in Minsk have become co-responsible for the current situation.

The minister agreed with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya that the current authorities in Minsk do not represent Belarusian society. Belarusian citizens who have been forced to leave their country due to systemic political persecution and human rights violations and who have chosen Poland as their new home deserve our respect, support and empathy. They should not be equated with Belarusian authorities without democratic legitimacy. Poland, as a democratic, open and tolerant country, has provided them with shelter. Together with the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Minister Rau called for Belarusians living in Poland to be treated like brothers and neighbours in need, with kindness and understanding.

 

Łukasz Jasina

MFA Press Spokesperson

 

Photo: Sebastian Indra