Estonian formin: We must continue isolating Lukashenko regime, step up sanctions

TALLINN - On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a public webinar on democracy in Belarus, with Reinsalu expressing support to the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus and underlining that more pressure must be put on the Lukashenko regime.

Reinsalu reaffirmed that Estonia would firmly support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian opposition and the civil society to make sure that violations of human rights and international law do not go unnoticed, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"The international community must continue to stand for the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus and holding the organizers of repressions accountable," the foreign minister said.

Reinsalu underlined that at the European Union level, we needed to continue isolating Alexander Lukashenko's regime and impose stricter sanctions.

To give the democratic voice of Belarus a platform on the international arena, Estonia organized several discussions on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly with the Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, bringing together representatives of various states, think tanks and companies.

Estonia is stepping up cooperation with the democratic opposition of Belarus, which has its main center in Vilnius.

"I am glad that in February, we are appointing a diplomat to Vilnius who would develop contacts with the democratic forces of Belarus," the foreign minister added.