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Polish FM meets with Belarus opposition leader

08.01.2024 17:00
Poland's foreign minister has met with the leader of Belarusian opposition and reaffirmed Polish support for civil society in Belarus, as well as urging the Minsk regime to release political prisoners, according to officials. 
Polands Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (right) and the leader of the Belarusian Cabinet-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (left) meet in Warsaw on January 8, 2024.
Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (right) and the leader of the Belarusian Cabinet-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (left) meet in Warsaw on January 8, 2024.gov.pl

Poland's Radosław Sikorski hosted Belarus' Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Warsaw on Monday.

The Polish foreign minister stressed Warsaw's commitment to supporting Belarusian civil society, according to officials. 

Sikorski also paid tribute to the "pro-democratic efforts of the exiled Belarusian opposition" and reaffirmed "Poland's support for Belarus' democratic and European aspirations," Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Poland's top diplomat also condemned the Belarusian regime's "unprecedented repressions against political opponents," carried out "ever since the rigged August 2020 presidential elections," the foreign ministry in Warsaw said.

Poland "continuously calls on Belarusian decisionmakers to release all political prisoners," including the Polish-Belarusian activist and journalist Andrzej Poczobut, and to "stop its repressions against Belarusian society," officials added.

Tsikhanouskaya, who leads the Belarusian government-in-exile, on Monday began a three-day visit to Poland, the PAP news agency reported.

She is scheduled to hold talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, government ministers and top lawmakers, according to officials.  

Later on Monday, Tsikhanouskaya met with Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and thanked him for "offering premises to Belarusian initiatives and NGO's."

She said Warsaw had welcomed thousands of Belarusian exiles.

Trzaskowski and Tsikhanouskaya also discussed an "info campaign about political prisoners, including Andrzej Poczobut," the Belarusian opposition leader said.

Source: IAR, PAP, Belsatgov.pl