January 26, 2019
Resolution of the conference of the Belarusian National Platform
of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
On the escalation of threats to the independence of Belarus
In the latter half of 2018, the situation with the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Belarus has aggravated. In the media space of Belarus and Russia, an extensive discussion on the possibility of a hostile takeover of Belarus by the Russian Federation has been launched. This campaign is accompanied by fake news, irresponsible comments of politicians and experts, and pumping of hysteria in social networks. Such events occur against the background of Russia-Belarus relations crisis connected with the so-called “tax maneuver” of Russia that potentially incurs losses for the Belarusian economy; the appointment of a new Russian Ambassador with an ill repute; tacit form of discussions and unclear results of two meetings between the presidents of Belarus and Russia in December 2018; the statements of Russian officials and politicians on the need for a «deeper integration»; the statements of the President of Belarus and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the inalienability of country’s sovereignty; the establishment of a parallel governmental working groups on issues of integration and the Belarus-Russia relations.
In this regard, we, the participants of the Belarusian National Platform, declare:
- There are no and cannot be any economic, legal and political circumstances that can serve as grounds for the deprivation of Belarus of sovereignty or its inherent parts;
- None of the possible forms of deeper integration with Russia or another state leading to a restriction of the entirety of Belarus’ sovereignty in its national frontiers, including the rule of Belarusian state and law in regulating economic, social, cultural and political life, are acceptable;
- There are no and cannot be any economic, legal and political grounds for the restriction of rights of Belarusian citizens, deprivation or restriction of the citizenship of the Republic of Belarus.
The Belarusian National Platform reserves the right to disallowance of any actions by state officials of the Republic of Belarus and its state bodies leading to the limitation of sovereignty and independence of Belarus.
We call upon the civil society of Belarus to express solidarity and support for the position of the Belarusian National Platform by publicly joining it.
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The Belarusian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum was founded in July 2010 and brings together over 80 organisations and initiatives in different fields drawing on pro-European values.
