What were they talking about among themselves behind the scenes?

Павялічыць

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Igor Sekreta. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The OSCE summit, which took place in Vienna on December 4-5, was attended by two delegations from Belarus – from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from democratic forces.

At this ministerial meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Igor Sekreta spoke about the regime’s desire to conduct a dialogue. But at the same time, he denied political repression.

“The Belarusian delegation is forced to respond to the statements in this hall by a number of states that consider themselves to be part of the so-called “group of friends of democratic Belarus.” These statements are nothing more than a set of politicized clichés and double standards that distort the real situation in Belarus,” the delegation’s statement reads.

“Belarusians do not need help from foreign benefactors in “preparing a democratic future” for the country. Moreover, attempts to impose adventurous political scenarios on Belarus from the outside are a direct violation of the principle of non-interference. (…) We repeat once again: Belarus is open to dialogue – but only respectful and equal dialogue. Blackmail, pressure and manipulation under the guise of “human rights concern” not only do not contribute to such a dialogue, but on the contrary, completely destroy it,” the delegation argued.

Tsikhanouskaya’s advisor Denis Kuchinsky told Nasha Niva about the behind-the-scenes of the meeting.

“During the break, Franak Viachorka and I approached Sekreta, we say: let’s talk. But the dialogue should be primarily with Belarusians. I reminded him of our conversation in Helsinki: are you really ready? Dialogue is needed, as you say. About getting out of the crisis, about elections. We are open and ready to talk to everyone.

It was clear that he was worried, but he issued the regime’s agenda that we are for sanctions and betrayed. We say, let’s work on lifting the sanctions, and both you and we know what needs to be done for this,”

Kuchinsky cited some details of that dialogue.