On 8 June 2022, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Edgars Rinkēvičs confirmed that the Belarusian society can rely on Latvia’s long-standing support in the fight for democratic freedoms and respect for human rights. The Minister underlined that demands for the release of all political prisoners and new elections in the presence of international observers still stand. If there are no visible improvements in the field of human rights, Latvia’s support for sanctions will continue.
Support provided by Latvia for the members of Belarus’ civil society since August 2020 will continue. The Minister also underlined that it was vital for people representing the democratic forces of Belarus to be united in their understanding of reforms that Belarus needs and in work towards that end.
In a discussion on developments in the region, Edgars Rinkēvičs reaffirmed that Latvia is clearly aware of Russia’s war in Ukraine being supported by the Lukashenko regime, and not the Belarusian people.
Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Latvia for assistance given to the Belarusian society and a clear position on the issue of respect for the fundamental democratic rights of the belarusian people.