The European Union will allocate EUR 30 million to support the Belarusian people in 2026. This was reported by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos at the advanced Level Conference “Belarus: creating the basis for democratic change” in the European Parliament.
“I am arrogant to announce present that the EU will allocate an additional €30 million to aid the Belarusian people next year. This will increase our full aid from the time of the fraudulent elections to over EUR 200 million. This support will enable Belarusian human rights defenders to aid victims of repression and journalists and civilian society proceed to prosecute democratic change," said the Euro MP.
Kos pointed out that since 2020 EU support has been based on helping “social activists, human rights defenders and average people who dared to speak.” During this time, the EU provided legal and medical support to over 7,500 people, granted scholarships to over 3,500 students, supported thousands of companies in exile.
“We are besides at the forefront of helping political prisoners after their release, helping them return to average life. any of them are here with us today. They will play an crucial function in shaping the democratic future of Belarus. Many of you here present have worked to make structures that will let you to be ready for the democratic changes that will 1 day take place.
I hope this happens very soon. The work you did for the democratic task of Belarus has shown that another Belarus is possible. Belarus, where human dignity is respected and citizens have the right to vote on matters that find their lives. Where people can trust their government, which acts in the interests of society, and where they do not gotta live in fear of political detention," she said.
Ms Kos confirmed that the EU would proceed to put force on Mr Lukashenko.
“We will proceed to put force on the government by staying firmly on the side of the Belarusian people. We will proceed to search work for the crimes committed by the regime," the Euro MP pointed out.
It ensured that the European Union would not retreat from support for the democratic aspirations of the Belarusians and that the Belarusians could number on the EU. “We are counting on you, just as you can number on us,” concluded Marta Kos.
The advanced Level Conference “Belarus: Creating the basis for democratic change” was organised by the European Parliament and the global Institute for Democracy and Support for Elections (International IDEA) with the support of the European Commission and the European External Action Service.
Source: reforms.news, multimedia.europarl.europa.eu
BIS improvement – survey Bulletin
