This afternoon, Ambassador Nancy McEldowney, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European Affairs at the U.S. State Department, met with several members of the Belarus opposition and human rights NGOs to discuss the current situation in Belarus. In the meeting, Ambassador McEldowney emphasized that both the U.S. and the EU stand firm and stand together on supporting the Belarussian people in their quest for a free and open government that is responsive to its citizens. She reiterated the call made by Secretary Clinton and Lady Ashton that „The elections and their aftermath represent an unfortunate step backwards in the development of democratic governance and respect for human rights in Belarus.” During the meeting, the Belarussian group shared some of their harrowing stories and experiences with Ambassador McEldowney from this ongoing episode, and also expressed their appreciation for the continued support of the international community. Ambassador McEldowney also pointed out the immense opportunity for change in the coming year, in the context of the Lithuanian chairmanship of the OSCE. „I am confident that with Lithuanian leadership, the international community will succeed in persuading President Lukasenko that it is well past time for his government to recognize basic human rights and freedoms, and to allow the decisions of the Belarussian people to stand on their own,” she informed the gathered group. Ambassador McEldowney is visiting Lithuania to attend the annual winter meetings held in Trakai, known as the „Snow Summit.”