На русском языке:
Светлана Тихановская провела телефонный звонок с Ангелой Меркель
На беларускай мове:
Святлана Ціханоўская правяла тэлефонны званок з Ангелай Меркель
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Angela Merkel had a phone call. It is reported that they have discussed the situation in Belarus.
Merkel began the call with a phrase: «It’s a good opportunity to talk, because you were not very happy with my call with Lukashenka».
Later, a message was published on the website of the Federal Chancellor, which says that Angela Merkel and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya have discussed the situation in Belarus and a difficult situation at the border between Belarus and the European Union. It is reported that Merkel declared support for the Belarusian democratic movement and stressed that official Minsk should stop repressions against the opposition and independent journalists, release prisoners and start a serious dialogue with the society in order to overcome the crisis via new fair and free elections.
The official Telegram channel of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also reports that the conversation touched upon the situation with political prisoners and a response to the escalation of repressions. Merkel assured that the political leadership of Germany will do everything possible to put an end to repressions against civil society.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked Merkel for supporting the people of Belarus over the past year and her readiness to maintain principled approach towards the regime: «Today, I was assured that both the EU and Germany will firmly adhere to the policy of non-recognition of the regime. Consultations on resolving the crisis at the border do not mean that the EU’s position on the Lukashenka regime has changed».
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also stressed that she understands the humanitarian goals of Angela Merkel’s contacts with Minsk: «Lives and health of both migrants at the border of Belarus with the EU, as well as lives and health of Belarusian citizens held hostage by the regime, should be in the focus of attention of the international community. The situation at the border should be considered only in conjunction and through the prism of the political crisis in Belarus».
