Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet gave a speech at the first congress of new Belarusian Diaspora of Europe and the United States of America in Tallinn on Tuesday, 4 March. The foreign minister expressed hope that the conference will create a basis for co-operation between various public organisations both within and outside of Belarus.
“The congress proves that Belarusians haven’t lost hope for a democratic Belarus, and that they are prepared to work for it,” said Paet. The foreign minister also recalled the role of Estonian diaspora in Estonia’s re-independence.
“Estonia knows from firsthand experience the role a diaspora can play in shaping the future of the homeland,” Paet stated. Foreign Minister Paet said that along with many Belarusians, all of Europe, including Estonia, would like to see the development of a free and democratic Belarus.
“I can affirm that Belarus, which has been named the ‘last European dictatorship’, has not been abandoned or forgotten by the free world,” said Paet.
The first congress of new Belarusian Diaspora of Europe and the USA took place in Tallinn from 1-4 March.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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