Martin Klus on the border with Belarus: “Lukashenko is not ashamed of cynically exploiting even the desperate people on the run in his hybrid attacks on our allies in the EU[...]

"What is happening at the European Union's (EU) external borders with Belarus is part of a serious hybrid attack on EU Member States. And it is also the peak of cynicism by the undemocratic Belarusian system, which no longer has any legitimacy. Alexander Lukashenko has been trafficking these unfortunate people in need, pushing them into undignified conditions in the forests and in the cold, forcing them to cross borders illegally and abusing them as a tool in a political struggle to destabilize the EU. I could see it with my own eyes during my visit to Lithuania, but we also see it in the case of Poland. The situation is alarming and may get even worse with the coming winter. I therefore consider it necessary to emphasize that our common priority is first and foremost to warn desperate people on the run from the reckless and dangerous practices of the Belarusian system, as well as smugglers, and to punish all those responsible accordingly. "

This was stated today, November 16, 2021, by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Martin Klus, during the second day of his working trip to Lithuania. Together with his Lithuanian partners, he visited the EU's external border and also met with four members of the Slovak Police Force who are helping to protect the Lithuanian-Belarusian border as part of the Frontex mission. Due to the limited and exhausted capacities, the Lithuanians very much appreciate this help from Slovakia. Slovakia has already provided Lithuania with two humanitarian consignments as a sign of solidarity.

"We do not forget that the Lithuanian border with Belarus is also the EU's external border and therefore our border. Lithuanians are our close partners and allies, which is why the following applies: 'One for all, and all for one.' They should not bear the burden of protecting the EU's external borders solely on their shoulders. We believe in European solidarity, which is why Slovakia has been on the side of Lithuania since the very beginning of the current crisis." stated Martin Klus.

He also reiterated that Slovakia sees the construction of physical barriers at the border only as a temporary and extreme solution in a crisis situation.

"We still continue to firmly believe in the European future of Belarus, which I emphasized at a meeting with the former Belarusian presidential candidate and exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Unfortunately, it is evident that Alexander Lukashenko continues to repress his own citizens and intimidate the opposition or civil society, including NGOs and independent media," said Martin Klus after his talk with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in the Lithuanian metropolis of Vilnius.

According to the State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, a strict distinction must be made between Alexander Lukashenko and the people of Belarus, who long for freedom and democracy. "Our meetings with representatives of the Belarusian democratic opposition and civil society are sending a clear signal of our support for the democratic and European future of Belarus, in which no fences will be needed," added State Secretary Klus.