On Thursday, 9 September, during the Baltic Assembly (BA) Consultative Council in Vienna, the Presidium of the BA adopted a statement concerning the hybrid attacks carried out by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko’s regime against Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. In the Statement, the BA calls for a stronger response of the European Union (EU) institutions to the violence and attacks carried out by Lukashenko’s regime and for a sustainable solution to overcome the new migration crisis at the EU’s external border.

According to the Statement, the recent attacks on Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland are breaches of international law and an overt indication of the massive aggression of Lukashenko’s regime. It is apparent that Lukashenko’s regime is not afraid of threatening the external border of the EU, and the threats must not be ignored. It is important for the EU to send a clear message that this situation is our priority and hybrid attacks against any of its members will not be tolerated, stressed the Presidium of the BA in its Statement.

In the Statement, the Presidium of the BA takes a firm stand for the cooperation of the Baltic states at all levels of governance and invites the three countries to cooperate even more closely. History has taught us that the true strength of the Baltics lies in their unity, noted Jānis Vucāns, Vice President of the BA.

The Baltic states are full of determination, and no intimidation can silence them, expressed Vucāns, referring to the Statement. He also reaffirmed the Baltic commitment to freedom, democracy, the rule of law, civic society, and pluralism of information, noting that the Baltics will continue to provide full support for the people of Belarus and their efforts to ensure a legitimate president for their country.

The Statement explains that Lukashenko’s regime has gone out of control, it is disrespectful against the international community and willing to sacrifice human life to sustain its own power, which is unacceptable. The Baltic states, the EU, and the entire international community must combine their efforts to restore safety and stability in the region.

According to the Statement, ever since the fraudulent Belarusian presidential election on 9 August 2020, the Baltic states and Poland have shown active, unwavering support for the civic society of Belarus and their aspiration to decide on the leadership and course of their country according to democratic processes.

Saeima Press Service