Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday received exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
The minister underscored Croatia’s utmost respect for the efforts invested in the fight for the democratic future of the Belarusian people, which Croatia knows and understands very well because we ourselves defended our freedom and independence more than 30 years ago, and transitioned from autocracy and one-party system to democracy and multipartism.
“Together with our European partners and allies, we fully support the Belarusian people’s struggle for the rule of law, democratic standards, and free and fair elections. The situation in Belarus is high on the EU’s priority list and I would like to condemn once again the persecution and express concern over the disrespect for human rights and the freedom of speech in Belarus,” Grlić Radman said.
The two officials also discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of continued support for Ukraine in coordination with partners and allies.
Tsikhanouskaya said it is necessary to distinguish between the Belarusian people and the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, who is allowing Russia to use Belarusian territory in the war against Ukraine. “Belarusian soldiers do not want to participate in this war. We do not see Ukrainians as our enemies. We have always been friendly countries,” she said.
Grlić Radman underlined Croatia’s support for the continued implementation of sanctions against Belarus as a response, among other things, to the unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters, the use of migrants for political purposes and hybrid attacks along EU borders, condemning all the ways in which Russia acts against Ukraine using Belarusian territory.
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