Фото: Офис Тихановской
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Berlin Forum on the Future of Belarus on November 3, urging European partners to prepare for democratic change in the country, develop plans for its European integration and continue supporting Belarusian society.
The forum focused on the situation in Belarus, its European future and the role of Germany and the European Union in supporting democratic change. Participants included Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, Maria Kalesnikava, representatives of the Bundestag and the German government, as well as Belarusian and European politicians and experts, Tsikhanouskaya’s Office reported.
In her speech, Tsikhanouskaya said Europe should become a real alternative to the “Russian world” for Belarusians, and that democratic forces were already working to create such an alternative.
“Belarusians must see that Europe is not a distant dream, but a real alternative to the ‘Russian world’. And we, as democratic forces, are also building this alternative. We maintain international representation and have developed reform plans. We want to ensure that when change comes, it will be systemic and irreversible,” she said.
Tsikhanouskaya also urged European countries not to postpone preparations for possible change in Belarus. She said that both Belarusian society and European partners should be ready for that moment.
“And although today may seem dark, such moments often create opportunities. That is why, when the moment comes, Belarus must be ready. And Europe must be ready too. Berlin reminds us that even the strongest walls can fall. That dictatorships do not last forever. And that what seems impossible today can become reality tomorrow,” Tsikhanouskaya said.