Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of democratic society in Belarus, to discuss the political situation in Belarus and Lithuania's further support to the people of Belarus.

'The people of Belarus, who are fighting for freedom and the fundamental right to decide their own destiny, cannot be called opposition. It is the bloody regime of Alexander Lukashenko that turned into opposition to the people of his country long time ago. Release of political prisoners, end of repression, and free and democratic elections are the key steps that Belarusians are demanding. Lithuania and the entire democratic world demand the same,' said the Prime Minister.

Lithuania seeks to further increase pressure on the Belarussian regime. Lithuania also supports the expansion of EU sanctions.

Lithuania grants political asylum to persecuted Belarusian citizens and issues national visas free of charge. Ways are being sought to further simplify migration procedures and facilitate conditions for Belarusian businesses to move to Lithuania.

It has been noted at the meeting that Lithuania provides medical assistance and rehabilitation to victims of repression; 89 scholarships have been granted for students from Belarus to study for bachelor degree programmes at universities in Lithuania, and another 20 scholarships are planned to be granted for master's studies this year.

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Government of the Republic of Lithuania published this content on 29 January 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 29 January 2021 11:09:08 UTC.