Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will take part in the World Economic Forum in Davos for the fourth time. The forum will take place on 19–23 January.
“This year the excitement and interest are especially high, as U.S. President Donald Trump will take part in the Forum — it will be the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to the forum in the past two decades, since the presidency of Bill Clinton,” said Tsikhanouskaya’s adviser Dzianis Kuchynski.
Tsikhanouskaya plans to raise three main topics: the future of Belarus, regional security, and political prisoners.
The leader of the Belarusian democratic forces will discuss Belarus’ economic recovery after change.
“Our plan is a path of managed transformation: consistent steps to restore justice inside the country and an economic track — launching reforms prepared by the democratic forces so that after change Belarus can quickly stabilise and return to growth,” the Office of Tsikhanouskaya said.
Tsikhanouskaya stresses that the Belarusian people and the regime are different things, and that Belarus’ territory must not be an instrument of threats.
“The third topic is political prisoners and the end of repression. The releases that have taken place are important, but unfortunately they do not resolve the global problem: hundreds of people remain in prison, and the system of repression continues to operate,” the Office of Tsikhanouskaya said.
Possible dialogue with the regime and a round table format are also planned for discussion.
“We propose a ‘round table’ format as a mechanism of managed transformation, with a sequence of steps and responsibility for the result. This is not about ‘reconciliation at any cost’ and not about capitulation. It is about stopping the destruction of the country and beginning recovery.
The regime often uses the word ‘dialogue’ as a tactic to buy time and relieve pressure.
In Davos we will speak about this in practical terms: the international community must distinguish results from an imitation of process. When it comes to Belarus, it is important to maintain dialogue with Belarusians,” the Office said.