Latvia supports future of the Belarusian people in family of democratic European countries - Levits

RIGA - Latvia supports the future of the Belarusian people in the family of democratic European countries, President Egils Levits emphasizes.

As LETA was informed by presidential spokeswoman Elina Kresa, Levits met with the leader of the Belarusian democratic movement Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at Riga Castle today, where he emphasized Latvia's support for the future of the Belarusian people in the family of democratic European countries.

"Belarus is part of the Europe of the future. We must continue to support Belarusian civil society and encourage the consolidation of Belarusians outside of Belarus in their fight against the regime," he said.

According to the information provided by the Presidential Chancery, Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Latvia is a friend of the people of Belarus, to which the President confirmed that Latvia will continue this support and fight together with the Belarusian opposition for democracy throughout Europe, including Belarus.

The President emphasizes that the European Union must continue and strengthen sanctions against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, who is waging a criminal war in Ukraine together with Russia. Latvia also condemns the brutal persecution and imprisonment of the opposition in Belarus, and continues to raise this at all international forums.

The President and Tsikhanouskaya discussed the struggle of the Belarusian opposition against the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as the process of unification of Belarusian civil society.

Levits noted Latvia's experience during the Soviet occupation, when the diaspora around the world maintained a policy of non-recognition of Latvia's occupation and coordinated civic efforts via the World Association of Free Latvians.