Andrei Sannikov received phone call from Carl Bildt

Foreign Affairs Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt has congratulated the presidential candidate on his release.

“Carl Bildt has used a very exact expression. He has not congratulated me with freedom, but with my release from prison, as he understands the overall situation in Belarus. He confirmed that release of political prisoners is a priority of the European Union, and they are ready to take further measure to achieve that. He has also stressed that he hopes Belarusian authorities understand that it is extremely important for them to take some steps in connection with the upcoming parliamentary election.

The attention to the situation in Belarus remains unremitting, and the EU would be ready to take measures depending on the events development. I expressed gratitude to Carl Bildt for support, solidarity with political prisoners, and said that recently the EU plays consistently and defends the principles of human rights and democracy. I asked to convey thanks from me and Zmitser Bandarenka for the actions aimed at our release. We both have expressed hope that there would be no interruption in the process of freeing the political prisoners,” Andrei Sannikov said to charter97.org.