Belarus and the EU

Latest business news about Belarus and the European Union

Belarus has the opportunity to be an active partner of the EU in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), provided that the country embarks on fundamental democratic and economic reforms to bring the country closer to European common values.

The EU's offer to re-engage with Belarus was set out in the document What the EU could bring to Belarus , which the Commission released in November 2006 and which offers Belarus to enter a full partnership, as part of the European Neighbourhood Policy, provided that Belarus takes convincing steps towards democratisation, respect for human rights and the rule of law. It contains concrete examples of how the people of Belarus could gain from a rapprochement between the EU and Belarus.

FACT SHEETS

• Belarus: Economy Overview
• Belarus Investment Climate 2009
• Starting a business in Belarus
• EU Delegation to Belarus

LATEST NEWS

Opposition media raided in Belarus: website — 16 March 2010, 18:06 CET

Unidentified men in the ex-Soviet nation of Belarus Tuesday searched the offices of a top news website and the home of a leading opposition journalist, a spokesman for the news portal said.

Polish PM condemns Belarus crackdown on Polish minority — 12 February 2010, 23:42 CET

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday condemned what he termed the repression of the Polish minority in neighbouring Belarus, after authorities there cracked down on a Polish group.

EU worried by Belarus Polish minority crackdown: Poland — 11 February 2010, 15:37 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has expressed concern about a crackdown on the Polish minority in Belarus and plans to take Minsk to task, Poland announced Thursday.

Belarus: Economy Overview — 10 February 2010, 22:30 CET

Belarus has seen limited structural reform since 1995 and continued state control over economic operations hampers market entry for businesses, both domestic and foreign.

EU Delegation to Belarus — 10 February 2010, 21:36 CET

Contacts of the European Delegation to Belaraus

Starting a business in Belarus — 10 February 2010, 21:22 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Belarus.

Belarus Investment Climate 2009 — 10 February 2010, 21:24 CET

The government of Belarus officially welcomes foreign investment, which is seen as a source of new production technologies, jobs and hard currency. The factors that attract foreign businessmen to Belarus include good geographical position, a well-developed infrastructure, highly qualified and relatively inexpensive labor force.

Belarus president hits out at EU 'cat and mouse game' — 30 December 2009, 17:57 CET

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko hit out at the European Union on Wednesday, attacking the bloc's criticism at the progress of the country's democratic reforms.

Belarus nuclear plant to weaken Russia's role: president — 30 December 2009, 17:17 CET

Belarus is planning to build a nuclear power plant that will weaken its reliance on energy imports from Russia and the European Union, Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday.

Swedish FM takes aim at Belarus over student expulsion — 08 December 2009, 19:17 CET

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Tuesday poured scorn on his Belarus counterpart's assertion that a student activist was expelled from university due to her poor attendance record.

Italy's Berlusconi visit ends Belarus isolation — 30 November 2009, 19:52 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi described Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko as 'loved' by his people Monday as he became the first Western leader to visit the reclusive state in 15 years.

Italy's Berlusconi visit ends Belarus isolation — 30 November 2009, 16:42 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met Belarus' strongman president on Monday, on the first visit by a Western leader in 15 years to the country once dubbed Europe's last dictatorship.

Italy's Berlusconi visits long-isolated Belarus — 30 November 2009, 15:02 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrived in Belarus on Monday, making the first visit by a Western leader in 15 years to the country once dubbed "Europe's last dictatorship."

Berlusconi due in Belarus amid warming ties with West — 24 November 2009, 17:22 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will go to Belarus next week, officials said Tuesday, becoming the first Western leader in years to visit an ex-Soviet republic long considered a pariah by the West.

Berlusconi due in Belarus amid warming ties with West — 24 November 2009, 15:47 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will go to Belarus next week, officials said Tuesday, becoming the first Western leader in years to visit an ex-Soviet republic long considered a pariah by the West.

Berlusconi to visit Belarus Monday: envoy — 24 November 2009, 11:52 CET

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will visit Belarus on Monday, the Italian ambassador was quoted by state media as saying Tuesday, after the EU decided to upgrade ties with the ex-Soviet state.

Long-isolated Belarus appeals to foreign investors — 22 November 2009, 04:15 CET

Scorned as Europe's last dictatorship, ranked dismally by rating agencies and possessing few natural resources, Belarus has struggled to attract foreign investors.

EU eyes talks with Belarus on closer ties — 17 November 2009, 15:42 CET

EU foreign ministers have agreed to seek improved ties with Belarus, and refrained from enforcing a travel ban on its leaders. The move is subject to Belarus improving democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Belarus opposition calls for closer ties with EU — 14 November 2009, 19:44 CET

Hundreds of Belarussians from the opposition gathered Saturday in the capital Minsk for a "European forum" to encourage closer ties with the European Union, ahead of a meeting in Brussels next week.

EU eyes talks with Belarus on closer ties: officials — 13 November 2009, 17:32 CET

European Union nations will next week approve talks on boosting cooperation with Belarus, and refrain from enforcing a travel ban on its leaders, EU officials said Friday.

Belarussian leader warns EU to be patient over reform — 19 October 2009, 16:07 CET

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko warned the European Union on Monday it would have to wait patiently to see a new leader in the former Soviet republic.

Belarus wants closer ties with EU: foreign minister — 13 October 2009, 14:52 CET

Belarussian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov said Tuesday his country wants to improve its relations with the European Union and is committed to making reforms.

Belarus opposition crackdown draws EU ire — 17 September 2009, 16:28 CET

A Belarussian crackdown on opposition protesters drew a rebuke on Thursday from the European Union, just as Minsk attempts to forge a "strategic partnership" with Brussels.

Belarus wants strategic partnership with EU: Lukashenko — 16 September 2009, 17:22 CET

Belarus's strongman President Alexander Lukashenko said Wednesday he wants to forge a new strategic partnership with the European Union in the latest sign of a thawing in once frosty ties.

Russia holds tight leash on Western-leaning Belarus: analysts — 08 June 2009, 19:59 CET

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko is steering his country towards closer ties with the West, but Russia still has powerful cards to play in keeping Belarus within its orbit, analysts say.