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Speech by Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear Minister, Mr Kęstutis Budrys,

Dear Speaker, Mr Juozas Olekas,

Dear Ms Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya,

Dear Chairperson of the Lithuanian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ms Birutė Vėsaitė,
Dear Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr Emanuelis Zingeris,

Excellencies,

Friends,

Belarus has never been a member state of the Council of Europe.

That is not because we do not want it.

We do.

But to become a member state, Belarus must meet our fundamental values.

Today, in Belarus, systemic suppression continues.

Alongside deliberate interference in the affairs of neighbouring countries.

And support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In Belarus, disinformation is rife.

The Council of Europe remains dedicated to truth over lies, fact over fiction, information over disinformation.

And we are committed to supporting an independent and democratic Belarus.

Where no university, school, or training institution is labelled “extremist”, for encouraging freedom of thought and civic engagement.

Where the people can exercise their rights, supported by the rule of law.

And where elections are open, free and fair.

Because as Mme Tsikhanouskaya said to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers in February, “Belarusian people continue to strive for freedom and for a European future.”

She went on, “Belarus is not Russia, and Belarus is not the regime.”

I congratulate you, Mme Tsikhanouskaya, on your leadership.

And I congratulate the democratic forces of Belarus for your courage and commitment.

This information point will support your work.

It will simplify exchange between the Council of Europe and those who believe in a democratic Belarus.

Through it, we will raise awareness of the Council of Europe’s values and legal instruments and promote activities supporting Belarusian democratic forces.

Belarusian Democratic forces now have representation in the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

This information point will bring us even closer.

It is a symbol of cooperation, even at a time when rupture threatens our values throughout Europe.

The Council of Europe will hold fast to those values.

And so will the Belarusian Democratic Forces.

I thank the many people who have worked to make this information point possible, particularly the Council of Europe Contact Group on Cooperation with Representatives of Democratic Forces and Civil Society of Belarus.

And I thank the Lithuanian government for your tireless support, and for hosting this information point, here in your magnificent National Library.

I hope that we will not need it for long.

That one day soon, it will be possible to welcome Belarus as a Council of Europe member state.