On the Polish side, the meeting at the Sejm was co-chaired by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, MP Marek Kuchcinski and the Chairman of the Polish-Belarusian Parliamentary Group, MP Mieczyslaw Baszko. The meeting was also attended by MP Paweł Kowal, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Separately, the Polish Senate was represented by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and European Union Committee, Senator Bogdan Klich. The Lithuanian side was represented by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Seimas, Žygimantas Pavilionis.

The EU delegation was represented by MEP Urmas Paet, Vice Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the Mission, and MEP Robert Biedroń, Chair of the Delegation for relations with Belarus and Co-Chair of the Mission. Other members of the EU delegation taking part in the meeting were MEPs Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (Germany), Andrius Kubilius (Lithuania), Anna Fotyga (Poland), Helmut Scholz (Germany), Juozas Olekas (Lithuania).

The discussion was moderated by Urmas Paet, MEP. It was divided into 3 parts:

- The representatives of the Polish and Lithuanian parliaments spoke first,

- In the second block, MEPs-members of the Mission spoke,

- In the third part, the discussions were summarized together in order to reach conclusions and a common position.

The most important demands of the Polish side were:

Chairman M. Kuchcinski:

- Putting strong pressure on the EP to return expelled Polish and Lithuanian diplomats,

- Establish scholarship programs for persecuted students similar to those used by the Polish opposition in the 1980s,

- taking preventive measures by counterintelligence services, including those serving the EP to counter disinformation from the Belarusian and Russian sides,

- preventing the finlandization of Belarus,

- EP support of the Lubleska Four format, perhaps with an "empty" Belarusian chair for the time being,

- involvement of the Visegrad Group in EU activities.

Chairman M. Baszko:

- It should be recalled that relations with Belarus, after years of stagnation, were revived during the rule of the United Right,

- As a result of direct contacts, visits of parliamentary delegations e.g. of the Groups and Commissions, a rapprochement took place, which unfortunately did not produce the expected results,

- an appeal to the European Parliament to provide further support both for the Belarusian opposition and for the Belarusian society in financial, organizational and political terms, so that Belarusians do not feel alone in their struggle,

- The role of international mediation also involving A. Lukashenko, who should understand the strength of the EU common foreign policy, remains important.

Žygimantas Pavilionis:

- Lithuania does not recognize the regime of A. Lukashenko,

- Lithuania has introduced sanctions that should be expanded with another tranche of sanctions targeting specific sectors sensitive to the Belarusian economy,

- the idea of organizing a joint international visit-mission to the nuclear power plant
in Ostrovets, Belarus, on which Lithuania is in talks with the U.S, 

- Any action at the EU level is a very effective instrument for putting pressure on the regime
and an important signal for Belarusian citizens,
- Drawing attention to the need to organize a high-level visit to Belarus
with the participation of important representatives of Warsaw, Vilnius, Brussels and other European capitals and the USA,

- To report on the Conference of the Presidents of the SZA Commissions scheduled for March 22, 2021 in Vilnius, with topics including the Belarusian issue.

Bogdan Klich:

- Belarus is one of the key elements of Polish foreign policy and a guarantee of the security of the so-called eastern flank,

- expand the sanctions list and keep it continuously updated to include those responsible for civil liberties violations,

- further support of independent media in Belarus is necessary.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel:

- The high-level mission from the EP that Pavilionis proposes may not be the best solution because it would not have the mandate to make important decisions. The proposal of such a mission by the European Commission and the European Council,

- The focus should be on a concerted effort by Member States to develop a common strategy,

- The President of the European Parliament is not willing to send such a Mission to Belarus, in which only EP members would participate,

- independent media should be supported as widely as possible,

- A suggestion to involve the Weimar Triangle in the whole process.

Robert Biedroń:

- Are the Polish or Lithuanian sides thinking about/organizing any international conference on this issue? The European Parliament could help with topics, guests etc.

- What is the cooperation between the Polish and Lithuanian parliaments like? It is crucial, since Poland and Lithuania are the most involved in Belarusian affairs among the EU states,

- Can other Member States help and get involved?

- It also suggests increased activity of the representatives of the Polish and Lithuanian parliaments in the forum of the OSCE and the Council of Europe parliamentary assemblies.

Andrius Kubilius:

- events in Belarus are a test for the European Union and democratic states,

- one should not forget about the broader perspective of the whole, i.e. also the involvement of Moscow, which is trying to maintain the Lukashenka regime,

- involvement not only of the Weimar Triangle but also of the Lublin Four - the "Weimar-Lublin" coalition,

- a clear message should be sent to Moscow that democracies will not tolerate support for Tatarist regimes, and Russia should expect sanctions for support to Belarus or other such countries,

Anna Fotyga:

- supporting Kubilius' suggestion,

- How do we see the red lines in this situation? Where is the red line for Moscow that it cannot cross in its attempts to support Lukashenko?

- pressure should be put on Russia,

- Trade unions should be involved in the democratic process in Belarus, using the vast experience of, for example, Solidarity,

- It is important for the European Parliament and national parliaments to work together, including on the issue of creating a reliable list of victims and those harmed by the regime,

- Ukraine should be included in joint activities,

Helmut Scholz:

- The actions of all EU Member States and the European Parliament towards Belarus and Belarusians must be coherent, unified, so that the message is clear and understandable.

Juozas Olekas:

- Supporting views on the need to build a common strategy for action,

- Support the idea of sending a high-level EU mission,

- to ensure that Member States do not create bureaucratic difficulties for Belarusians wishing to enter the EU, which they often complain about.

Summary:

- Many interlocutors agreed that A. Lukashenko's actions are state terrorism.

- participants suggested involving other European capitals and the new U.S. administration of incoming President Joe Biden in the Belarus effort,

- It was agreed that without a broad front on the international stage, the desired goals would not be achieved,

- The Polish side recalled the importance of international support for Poland in the years of struggle against the communist regime, where, in addition to financial aid, a program of scholarships and training for future cadres was established,

- President Kuchciński once again drew attention to the format of the Lublin Four. He also referred to the work and activity of the Polish Foundation for International Solidarity and proposed its inclusion in EU assistance activities, as part of a new pool of EU funds for civil society.

- President Kuchcinski added that Poland supports the main postulate of the opposition about the need for democratic elections as a way to peacefully resolve the conflict. He suggested that the first step should be amendment of the electoral legislation according to the independent recommendations of the OSCE. - In addition to the conclusions from the Polish side, M. Baszko agreed that besides the EU, the USA should be involved in the dialogue, and cooperation with Belarus based on mediation should be continued. He informed that as far as bilateral cooperation with Belarus is concerned, he is planning a meeting of parliamentary groups on both sides at the earliest possible date. He pointed out that Poland has historically a great experience in building close relations with the Belarusian people.

BSM, MC