European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the 10-13 March session with announcements on International Women’s Day and Parliament’s support for the people of Belarus and Ukraine.

International Women’s Day
Previewing the European Parliament’s marking of International Women’s Day, President Metsola said that Parliament will “welcome the national leader of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with other brave women from Ukraine and Belarus who are standing up for liberty.” “This week will also serve to re-affirm this House’s steadfast support for the people of Belarus in their struggle for freedom, including political prisoners,” President Metsola said, adding that Parliament would again be marking the international day of solidarity with the people of Belarus by giving MEPs the opportunity to sign postcards addressed to the 1,250 political prisoners that are unfairly imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime. “We know their names, we see their struggle and we stand with them.”

35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity by Baltic countries
“These anniversaries remind us again of the sacrifice of so many for the liberty that we enjoy today, and underscore our determination never to allow another generation of Europeans to be lost behind an iron curtain,” President Metsola said, marking the 35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – enshrining their independence de jure under international law throughout the illegal occupations and annexations of the 20th century.

Tempi railway accident anniversary
On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Tempi railway accident in Greece, President Metsola expressed Parliament’s condolences to the victims and their loved ones. “The House remembers them and honours them,” she said.

Source: European Parliament