Brussels – Belarus is not an EU candidate country. It is not even a democracy, after decades of authoritarian rule under Alexander Lukashenko. Yet its future within the European Union cannot be ruled out, as a determined pro-democracy movement, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, continues to work towards building an alternative to the pro-Russian dictatorship and reviving the country’s European aspirations.
Against the backdrop of exile, a few months after her latest intervention at the European Parliament, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels on 18 June. The agreement aims to strengthen ties between the EU and Belarusian civil society and independent media, and to promote the involvement of exiled democratic actors in European civil society networks, through the support of the EU institution dedicated to representing organised civil society.
“Together, we are laying the groundwork to ensure Belarus not only moves closer to Europe, but becomes an integral part of a united, democratic, and resilient European family,” said Tsikhanouskaya on the margins of the EESC plenary session, where she spoke. Her appeal to the EU institution is urgent: “Don’t support us out of charity—this is a strategic investment in security, democracy, and partnership.”
Commenting on the new Memorandum, EESC President Oliver Röpke underlined that “this is not just about symbolic gestures”, but about “giving space, voice, and visibility to those who are silenced at home.” In other words, it is “a clear expression of the deep and lasting commitment to the democratic future of the country and its people”, as they fight for “freedom, dignity, and democracy”, he added.
What the Memorandum is about
The Memorandum of Understanding signed on 18 June establishes a non-legally binding framework for enhanced cooperation, aimed at strengthening links between members of the European Economic and Social Committee and the Belarusian democratic forces in the areas of civil society and independent media. According to the text, “it does not create any kind of association,” nor is it intended to establish “legal rights or obligations.”
Under the agreement, joint activities will be pursued to “raise awareness about the internal situation with regard to human rights violations“—where more than 1,200 people are currently detained—and to “provide platforms for visibility, cooperation and capacity building” for independent media representatives and journalists, as well as to “counter disinformation and propaganda.”
Although not financially binding, the MoU lays the foundation for closer collaboration, including the exchange of best practices and expertise “on transitioning towards democracy,” the promotion of Belarusian heritage, culture and language within the EU, and, “where possible,” the provision of access to EESC premises for events and initiatives.
A new future for Belarusian civil society in the EESC?
Looking ahead to the country’s democratic future, the agreement may lay the foundation for a new strategic partnership with the Committee. Responding to a question from The New Union Post during a press point, President Röpke did not rule out the future involvement of Belarusian democratic forces in the Enlargement Candidate Members’ Initiative: “We can reconsider it, because this is a success story,” he said.
Launched in 2024, the pilot initiative currently includes civil society representatives from EU candidate countries only—namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. “I’m willing to explore deeper cooperation and more opportunities for the concrete involvement of Belarusian representatives,” President Röpke added.
“I’m grateful that the EESC is seeking new forms of cooperation, despite the fact that we are not candidates to join the European Union,” Tsikhanouskaya echoed. This support and recognition from Brussels, she added, demonstrate that “the EU’s doors are open to us, and when we are ready, Belarus will be prepared to join the European project.”
