From now on, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will use the official name Belarus instead of Hviterussland. The name is changed on the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus.
- We believe that the change of name is right and is a solidarity with the Belarusian democratic movement - says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The prime minister himself met with Swiatlana Cichanouska, the leader of the democratic movement. It called on the international community to change the use of Hviterussland to Belarus.
May 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus.
– I am glad that on this day we can announce the name change and show solidarity with the democratic forces in Belarus – says the minister foreign affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
Huitfeldt herself called Swiatłana Cichanouska and informed her about the change of name.
The name change from Hviterussland to Belarus is an important symbol
- She was happy and thanked for the decision - said Minister of Foreign Affairs Huitfeldt.
May 29 is also the second anniversary of the arrest of Cichanowska's husband, Siarhjej Cichanouski, an activist for civil rights.
Emphasis on this change is an important symbolic point for the Belarusian democratic movement. Especially that it is struggling with increasingly difficult conditions in its activities.
Norway thus joined Sweden and Denmark, which made the country officially named in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
