Europe supports freedom and independence of Belarus (Photo)
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12:50, — Politics
Vintsuk Vyacorka, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front party, said the Belarusian Week, marking in the European Parliament these days, was unprecedented event for Belarus.
Wide range of Belarusian political and public leaders, famous artists and musicians together with BNR president Ivonka Survilla were present at the European Parliament in honour of the Belarusian National Republic 90th anniversary. Vintsuk Vyachorka said to the Chartet’97 press center how the Belarusian Week was held in Strasbourg.
BNR President Ivonka Survilla, former speaker of the Supreme Council Stanislau Shushkevich; BPF head Lyavon Barshcheuski; deputy BPF head Vintsuk Vyachorka; member of the civil campaign “European Belarus” and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada) Mikola Statkevich; leader of the “For Freedom” movement Alyaksandr Milinkevich; head of the Belaruisan Communist Party Syarhei Kalyakin; political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin’s daughter Volha; youth leader Paval Sevyarynets; head of the committee for support of the repressed people “Salidarnast” Ina Kulei; and head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Zhana Litvina were invited to Strasbourg.
– Mr. Vintsuk, what is going on in the European Parliament on occasion of BNR 90th anniversary?
– A rank of the meeting was confirmed by presence and speeches of European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
The information about the political, human rights and media situation in Belarus was heard at the session of the European People's Party-European Democrats – the largest group in the EP.
A number of events were held in the EP on 12 March, among them a discussion “Independent Belarus is integral part of Europe.” We spoke on a topic of Belarus’ place in Europe and its chances for full participance in European political and civilised field.
There also were meetings with the EPP-ED leadership and the EP Committee on External Relations, a number of bilateral meetings with representatives of different national delegations. I’d like to note that all events were held under our national white-red-white flag.
– What did EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering say in his speech?
– Firstly, he congratulated us on a great holiday – 90th anniversary of the BNR. He expressed his support of Belarus, demanded that all political prisoners should be released unconditionally, stressed the importance of the coming election campaign in Belarus and called on democratic forces to unite.
– It’s known that Belarusian artists and musicians came to Strasbourg. How was Belarusian culture represented?
– During the solemn opening of the Belarusian Week a presentation of paintings by Alyaksei and Ihar Marachkins, exhibition of photos of Minsk events in 2006-2007 by Ihar Krasheuski and Yuliya Darashkevich were held. Concert of Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich, singing in Belarusian, aroused applause of the European Parliament members of different nationalities.
– It’s known that Ivonka Survilla came to Strasbourg for celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic..
– Yes, it was our idea. It was the first time when BNR President participated with other Belarusians in the celebration in the building of the European Parliament. This event is unprecedented for us, Belarusians, and for the BNR Rada.
– How do you appraise the very event – the celebration of the BNR 90th anniversary in the European Parliament?
– It is an unprecedented event for Belarus and for the European Parliament. It is the first time when such a wide range of Belarusian political leaders, public leaders, cultural figures, gathered with the BNR President Ivonka Survilla in the European Parliament.
This January I wrote letters to EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering and newly elected head of the delegation for relations with Belarus Jacek Protasiewicz. They welcomed the idea, and European People’s Party joined the organisation, and the organising went ahead. It was also supported by the International Republican Institute in the US.
Our objective was that the EP marks the BNR 90th anniversary and points out its position and its support of the Belarusian independence so that no one can dispute our rights for independence, we proclaimed not 10 years ago, and not even in 1918. But in 1918 our European-type state independence appeared.
I think this event will influence the consolidation of the Belarusian society around the ideal of Belarusian independence, and position of the united Europe in the sphere of our independence defence and opportunities to regain our freedom.
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