During the presidency of the European Union (from January 1 to June 30, 2023), support for Belarus will be a priority for Sweden.

This statement was made by the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs

at a meeting with

on December 5 in Stockholm.

, informed BPN about Tobias Bilstrom's statement

.

"Tsikhanovskaya called to unfreeze the Swedish aid to Belarus, which was reduced after 2020, and direct it to support the repressed.

She thanked the Swedish diplomats working in Minsk and Vilnius, and called to strengthen bilateral diplomatic ties with the democratic forces," Vyachorka noted.

According to him, the parties also discussed how to prevent Belarusian troops from entering the war, and the possibility of holding the regime accountable through international instruments.

Tobias Bilstrom wrote after the meeting that Sweden is on the side of Tikhonov and the Belarusian opposition.

"You are always welcome in Stockholm for further cooperation," the head of Swedish diplomacy emphasized.

Tsikhanovskaya, in her turn, noted that Sweden has been supporting Belarusians' aspiration for freedom for many years.

"I am glad that the new Swedish government (formed on October 18. — BPN.) continues this commitment.

The minister assured me that Sweden will keep Belarus on the agenda during its EU presidency."

Swedish Prime Minister

told Tsikhanowska that Sweden will support the Belarusian democratic movement, they discussed the possibility of holding a high-level discussion on Belarus.

Tsikhanovskaya spoke about the situation with

, the trial of "railway partisans".

At the negotiations with the Minister of Migration

Tsikhanovskaya raised the issue of international protection of Belarusians who left for Sweden.

"According to official statistics, only 3% of Belarusians' requests for political asylum are granted.

Tsikhanovskaya asked to find a solution for our compatriots who are fleeing repression.

"Tsikhanovskaya also proposed to create a working group on migration issues with the participation of the Belarusian diaspora, and asked to continue issuing visas to Minsk," Frantishak Vyachorka said.

At a meeting with the president of the Stockholm City Council

discussed "issues of supporting cultural initiatives and projects."

Tsikhanovskaya spoke before the Belarusian diaspora, as well as the expert community at the event of the Stockholm Freeworld Forum, an analytical center on foreign policy.

She also visited the monument and honored the memory of

, a Swedish diplomat who saved the lives of tens of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.