The work programme of the meeting will consist of two following themes: strengthening the resilience of the Euro-Atlantic space and prospects for democracy in Belarus. Participants will give some insight on how to enhance the resilience of Western democracies in the face of the rising threats from aggressive autocratic regimes, how to help civil society in Belarus, and to strengthen their ability to influence the Belarusian regime.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis, who will open the event, “autocratic regimes are neither perpetual nor inviolable. They are constantly resorting to new repression in order to maintain power. A strong transatlantic relationship and cooperation between the like-minded partners are crucial to addressing the challenges posed by systemic competition, and help us maintain trust among our citizens in the effectiveness of democracy”.
The 14th Snow Meeting will also be attended by the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. In total, more than 100 participants have registered, including high-ranking diplomats, representatives of NATO, the EU and other organisations, parliamentarians, and security policy experts.
The international meeting has been traditionally held in the second week of January every year since 2008. This year, the meeting was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s adapted event is exceptional because it takes place in the summer and will be held virtually for the first time.
