Today 7 February, Estonia celebrates the Day of Solidarity with Belarus. “On the Day of Solidarity with Belarus, it is important to show that the international community supports democratic processes in Belarus and has not forgotten the people of Belarus,” Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets said.
The foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania made a statement today, expressing solidarity with the people of Belarus and calling on the authorities of Belarus to release all people who have been detained arbitrarily. The statement also stresses the importance of launching a genuine political dialogue, which would result in new, free and democratic elections.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Liimets spoke to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the phone, reaffirming Estonia’s continued support to the people of Belarus. “For six months now, the people of Belarus have been peacefully standing up for freedom, democracy and their fundamental rights. Estonia cannot accept violations of human rights and the brutal suppression of democratic opposition,” Liimets stated, promising to keep events in Belarus on the agenda of international organisations.
Over the past six months, Estonia has repeatedly raised the issue of Belarus in the European Union and other international organisations. On Estonia’s initiative, the UN Security Council has held two high-level Arria-formula virtual meetings on human rights and media freedom in Belarus.
Estonia has also increased its support to the civil society of Belarus. Last year, Estonia allocated €100 000 to support the civil society and free media in Belarus and provide psychological assistance to the victims of the regime’s violence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also allocated €50 000 for Estonian government scholarships to Belarusian students at the European Humanities University in Vilnius and €20 000 to the activities of the Lifeline Fund in Belarus to help protect non-governmental organisations from persecution by the authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also supporting the Belarus projects of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) with €50 000.
The Foreign Ministry has earmarked €800 000 in total for development cooperation projects with Belarus between 2021 and 2023. The projects focus on higher education, especially technical education, and supporting the independent media of Belarus. The plans also include raising awareness about democracy, rule of law and health.
The statement of the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in full.
Today between 16.30 and 23.00, the facade of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is lit up in white, red and white to mark the occasion.
Additional information:
Kristina Ots
Media Adviser
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
