During her visit to the Czech Republic, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, the Office of the Belarusian democratic leader reported.
The politician thanked the mayor for supporting Belarusian initiatives and the diaspora in Prague, as well as for taking part in Freedom Day events. She noted the openness of the city authorities to cooperation with the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
Svoboda stressed that Prague has always been open to Belarusians. He recalled that 100 years ago the Czech capital hosted Belarusian political and cultural elites, as well as the government of the Belarusian People’s Republic in exile.
According to him, support for a free and democratic Belarus is a matter of principles, values and historical solidarity for Prague. The mayor also welcomed the release of Belarusian political prisoners and highly praised the work of the Belarusian democratic community.
Tsikhanouskaya asked the mayor to take patronage over the Congress of Belarusians in the Czech Republic, which is planned for the autumn, and to assist in providing a venue for Belarusian events.
The sides discussed opportunities to deepen Czech-Belarusian relations. Tsikhanouskaya noted that culture and education help preserve identity under conditions of repression and emigration.
“I am very grateful to Prague and the Czech Republic for becoming a home for many Belarusians. Here they can freely study, work, develop their culture and preserve their identity. Belarusians will never forget this support.”, Tsikhanouskaya said.
During her visit to the Czech Republic on June 10–11, Tsikhanouskaya also met with Czech President Petr Pavel, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, the leadership of the Senate and representatives of Belarusian civil society.
