On January 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno in Vilnius.
The sides discussed the situation of Belarusian political prisoners, regional security, and the role of the European Union in countering authoritarianism, Tsikhanouskaya’s Office said.
They also discussed support for a European perspective for Belarus and the preparation of a roadmap for closer ties with the European Union and the Council of Europe.
A separate topic was the third inter-party “8+100” forum, which will take place on March 3–4 at the European Parliament. The event is expected to bring together eight Belarusian and 100 European parties. Tsikhanouskaya invited Picierno to join the forum and support efforts to attract a larger number of Members of the European Parliament.
The head of the United Transitional Cabinet also proposed continuing the practice of “godparenthood” for political prisoners and organizing a Congress of Political Prisoners’ Godparents in Berlin to make this mechanism more effective.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked Picierno for her support for Belarus, including her participation in the opening of an office and a shelter in Florence.
“The support of partners such as Pina Picierno helps keep Belarus in the focus of European politics and serves as a reminder: without a free Belarus, there will be no safe Europe,” Tsikhanouskaya said.