Young people for European Belarus (Photo, Video)

Leaders of youth organizations of Belarus have announced that they are set to take an active part in the civil campaign “European Belarus”.

“Over the recent years many Russian politicians say that Belarus could lose independence and become a part of Russia. A referendum on Constitutional Act of the so-called “union state” could take place in autumn. In this situation joining the European Union coukd become the only guarantee of Belarus’ independence’s preservation,” told an activist of the civil campaign “Jeans for Freedom!” Yauhen Afnagel at a press-conference in Minsk today.

Leaders of the Young Front, of the civil campaign “For Freedom” and “Moladz BNF” organization have also urged the young people of Belarus to support the European vector of the country’s development.

“We have decided to take an active part in the work of the civil campaign the European Belarus. Back in the 16th century our country was a spiritual center of Eastern Europe, the European course of development for Belarus is the only possible path, not only because of economic, cultural, historical reasons, but in connecting with the recent statements of Russian politicians concerning Belarus. Thus, Dmitry Medvedev, who was elected President of Russia yesterday, stated that “integration with Belarus is only possible in case Belarus would merge with Russia”. We must answer to that. We shall stage mass events, mass rallies, pickets under a slogan “Belarus to Europe”, we shall distribute informational materials and leaflets, and tell Belarusians about the advantages of Belarus’ rapprochement with the European Union,” told the leader of the Young Front organization Artur Finkevich.

Youth leaders have noted the advantages people living in free European countries have.

“Today young people in Belarus have almost no social protection. Students cannot go abroad without a permission of the administration of a university. They are facing forcible job assignment and have absolutely no prospects for the future. At the same time our peers in other countries can travel around Europe, we as Belarusian citizens must pay 60 Euros for a Schengen visa. After improving relations with the European Union young Belarusians will have a possibility to study in European universities. Our diplomas would be recognized in every country of the EU, more opportunities for international exchanges appear, our universities’ graduates would be able to work in any country of Europe. Propagation of European values in Belarus would bring out country a long-awaited freedom and democracy. We call upon young Belarusians actively join the campaign “European Belarus”. Young Poles, Czechs, Lithuanians were in the front line of the struggle for the European future of their countries. I believe that young Belarusians will also bring their country into the United and Free Europe,” stated a representative of the civil campaign “For Freedom” Uladzimir Lemesh.

In case the proposals of the European Union would be accepted, Belarus will be able to get considerable economic assistance from the European Union, the youth leaders noted.

“Summarizing the results of the year 2007, the European Union is the main trade and economic partner of our country. The EU takes the first position in the world in importing goods of the Belarusian industry. And this happens against the background of sanctions imposed against the Belarusian regime. Since 2007 Belarus is no longer a member of the Generalised System of Preferences. When receiving assistance from the EU our country could get a lot more advantages. Everybody knows that Belarus has been granted a credit from Russia, however, despite of that the adverse balance of Belarus is huge and is growing constantly. In case the EU conditions would be accepted, Belarus would be able to receive assistance, but not in the form of credits, but in a form of investment into the economy,” stated the chairman of the organization Moladz BNF (the Belarusian Popular Front Youth) Anton Kalinouski.

The young leaders together with all democratic activists have set a task to collect 1,000,000 signatures of Belarusian citizens in support of joining the European Union.

“It will be not just a demonstration of the European choice, not just a demonstration of our wish to life in a free and European country, but an answer to all people who deny Belarus the right for independence. We understand that the regime has a rather difficult situation now. A year ago, on the eve of the Freedom Day, opposition addressed the authorities with a proposal to fight for the independence of Belarus together. And it has given a result. Last year on initiative of the government a campaign “For Independent Belarus!” took place for the first time. It lasted for a few months and encompassed the whole country. Releases of political prisoners have started. Now Artur Finkevich is with us, though a few months ago we couldn’t believe it. State-run mass media periodically promotes the idea of independence, state TV states that half of Belarusians want to live in the EU. We welcome all these actions of the regime. We know that most young Belarusians want to see Belarus a free European country. And today we address all our peers, all young Belarusians who are concerned by the fate of their native county, we address also members of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union: only together we can return Belarus into the family of free European nations once and forever. The time has come for the new generation of Belarusians to decide the destiny of their country. The time has come for Belarus to find our position finally,” stated the activist of the civil campaign “Jeans for Freedom!” Yauhen Afnagel.

The young leaders have stated that they are set to take an active part in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republc.