Rector Prof. Sergei Ignatov welcomed the President of Estonia at the Campus of EHU: “Although Belarus and Estonia don’t share a common border, the ties between the two nations are strong. These days Belarus and Estonia are well-regarded globally thanks to their IT talents. For us – the Belarusian university-in-exile, it is essential that technological advancement fosters the development of civil society, critical thinking, and democratic upbringing. The bonds between Estonia and EHU date back to the early years after we were expelled from the home country. I want to thank the people of Estonia for all the support provided to EHU and believe that today’s occasion will strengthen the ties between EHU and Estonia”.
Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic the number of participants was limited, therefore an online broadcast of the meeting was organized on the official Facebook and Instagram pages of EHU.
President Kersti Kaljulaid said: “What is happening in Belarus now is not ‘another Ukraine’. Belarusian people are demonstrating for the approval of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975. The Soviet Union had signed this document, so [Belarusian] authorities have to respect the Helsinki Final Act, however, it is not a surprise that they don’t. We try to support civil society in Belarus and this is why we are also supporting this establishment and will continue to do so. We do it in a way that we do not interfere in the internal politics of Belarus. Belarusian people have the right to decide for themselves”.
In her Keynote address, the President of Estonia has emphasized the importance of the synergy between economic reforms and the rule of law: “Economic reform is very important to start changing the country. However it is also the rule of law, independent institutions, free media, right to speak, freedom of thoughts – this comes first”.
President Kaljulaid has also stressed the importance of freedom for the welfare of the nation: “To be a rich country you need the creativity of people and only free people are truly creative. Whatever is being told to people by a dictatorship regime, only countries with rule of law can become economically successful. It is extremely important to keep your economy free and to provide possibilities to all business people to achieve success without political influence”.
At the end of the speech, the President of Estonia encouraged students of EHU to pay attention to decisions made by other countries and to learn from their mistakes or successes.
Later, President Kaljulaid met with Belarusian students of EHU, including the ones who received support from the Government of Estonia to continue their studies at EHU as a result of pressure from the Belarusian authorities. The President of Estonia and students discussed the problems of impunity, the growing number of political prisoners, and the prospects of getting further support from Europe for the civil society and democratic movement in Belarus.
Earlier in December 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia allocated €50 000 for supporting Belarusian students, who have faced oppression in their home country and were transferred to EHU.
