EU-Belarus: 4th Senior Officials’ Meeting takes place in Brussels

On 8 October, the European Union and leaders of the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society representatives held their fourth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on Belarus in Brussels.

The European Union reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with the Belarusian people.

Building on these exchanges, the EU committed to prioritising in the next two years support for human rights in Belarus, civil society and independent media, recognising these areas as vital for a democratic future. Participants also agreed to further step up EU support for the released political prisoners and victims of human rights violations.

Belarusian participants stressed the urgency of sustained political and financial support in the face of continued pressure from the regime. EU representatives reaffirmed the Union's commitment to the Belarusian people's democratic aspirations and fundamental freedoms.

The EU and Member States also discussed how to strengthen support for released prisoners through rapid support for rehabilitation and reintegration.

At the same time, the EU recalled the alternative path. In 2021, President von der Leyen announced a comprehensive plan of up to €3 billion to support a democratic future for Belarus. Once the country embarks on a peaceful democratic transition, the EU will be ready to activate the plan and provide unprecedented support from the very beginning.

The meeting was opened by Director-General Gert Jan Koopman and EEAS Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia Matti Maasikas, together with the leader of Belarus's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Background

In response to the mass repressions following the 2020 fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus, and in light of the Lukashenka regime's complicity in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine since 2022, the EU suspended cooperation with Belarusian public authorities and redirected its financial assistance towards the people of Belarus. Since 2020, over €170 million has been mobilised in support of Belarusian civil society, human rights defenders and victims of repression, independent media, culture, education and professional development.

Launched in 2022, the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) was created to provide a structured platform for this recalibrated support. By bringing together EU institutions, Member States, and Belarusian democratic forces and civil society, it has ensured that assistance is closely aligned with the real needs of the Belarusian people. The SOM has already delivered tangible results: it has helped to identify gaps in support and led the EU to launch new programmes in underserved areas, such as the EU-funded ArtPower project in the field of culture, showcased during the 2024 Belarus Days. It has also strengthened donor coordination, built capacity within Belarusian civil society, and reinforced links across supported sectors.