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

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EU maintains sanctions against Belarus — 15 October 2012, 19:32 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday maintained sanctions on Belarus due to serious concerns over human rights as well as flawed general elections last month.

Lithuania slams Belarus nixing visa for vote observer — 21 September 2012, 16:47 CET

Lithuania summoned Belarus's acting embassy chief Friday to protest Minsk's refusal to grant a visa to a lawmaker from the EU state who planned to observe upcoming elections in the neighbouring country.

Germany summons Belarus ambassador over visa denials — 20 September 2012, 14:16 CET

Germany said it had summoned the Belarussian ambassador on Thursday after the isolated country denied visas to two observers, one of them German, who planned to monitor upcoming parliamentary polls.

Belarus denies visas to two European poll observers — 19 September 2012, 19:20 CET

Belarus has denied visas to two observers who planned to monitor Sunday's parliamentary polls in the isolated country for the OSCE mission, Europe's security and rights body said Wednesday.

European Parliament leader 'deeply worried' over Belarus — 10 September 2012, 19:27 CET

European Parliament president Martin Schulz voiced concern over continuing rights abuses in Belarus ahead of general elections there, as he opened a plenary session of the assembly Monday.

Lukashenko ally wins Lithuanian case over EU sanctions — 28 August 2012, 19:20 CET

A top ally of Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has won a case in Lithuania over an asset freeze under European Union sanctions, a Vilnius court said Tuesday.

International Tax Guide Belarus (Deloitte) — 23 August 2012, 23:25 CET

Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Belarus.

Belarus: country overview — 23 August 2012, 23:17 CET

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.

Lithuania opens probe into Belarus 'teddy bear' stunt — 16 August 2012, 13:34 CET

Lithuanian prosecutors have launched an official probe into a stunt by Swedish activists who flew a plane into Belarus from Lithuania to drop hundreds of "freedom teddy bears."

EU criticises Belarus over political prisoners — 23 July 2012, 22:47 CET

The European Union's top diplomat on Monday blasted Belarus over its ongoing opposition clampdown, saying there is "no place" for political prisoners in Europe.

Belarus FM to join EU talks — 21 July 2012, 11:16 CET

Belarus Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov, whose country has been in the EU firing line over rights issues, will attend talks with European Union counterparts next week, diplomats said Friday.

Belarus to screen EU envoys before their return — 05 April 2012, 17:27 CET

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday he will screen EU envoys individually before allowing them back in following their unilateral withdrawal in protest at his rights record.

Minsk halts EU livestock imports over Schmallenberg virus — 23 March 2012, 22:17 CET

Belarus said Friday it had suspended livestock imports from the EU over the spread in European farms of the Schmallenberg virus, a new disease that causes deformities in animals at birth.

Belarus vows to strike back against EU sanctions — 23 March 2012, 17:02 CET

Belarus vowed Friday to retaliate against the European Union after the bloc imposed still more sanctions on Minsk in a bid to persuade President Alexander Lukashenko to free his political prisoners.

EU sanctions 'repressive' Belarus — 23 March 2012, 20:03 CET

The European Union slapped fresh sanctions on Belarus on Friday in a bid to persuade the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko to free political prisoners.

Belarus bars ex-president from leaving country — 18 March 2012, 12:17 CET

The first post-Soviet leader of Belarus who today is a prominent opposition member said Sunday he had been prevented from leaving the country in reprisal for new EU sanctions imposed on President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

Belarus executes one Minsk metro bomber — 17 March 2012, 21:07 CET

Belarus has executed one of two convicted Minsk metro bombers, Vladislav Kovalyov, his family said Saturday, sparking strong condemnation from the European Union.

EU condemns Belarus execution — 17 March 2012, 20:37 CET

European Union chief diplomat Catherine Ashton Saturday condemned the execution of one of two men convicted of carrying out a bomb attack in the Minsk underground that left 15 dead and 160 wounded.

EU urges Belarus to halt execution of metro bombers — 16 March 2012, 20:32 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton appealed to Belarus Friday not to execute two men condemned to death for a fatal bombing on the Minsk metro last year.

EU issues 7-day deadline for capitals to return to Belarus — 15 March 2012, 20:12 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton wants the bloc's 27 member states to return their ambassadors to Belarus within seven days, diplomats said on the eve of Friday talks among governments.

Belarus opposition leader banned from leaving country — 07 March 2012, 19:17 CET

A leading figure from the Belarus opposition said Wednesday he had been banned from leaving the country.

In Putin's shadow, Lithuania calls for EU-Belarus rethink — 04 March 2012, 10:02 CET

With Vladimir Putin set to regain the Russian presidency Sunday, Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaite warned EU partners that moves to boost economic sanctions against Belarus will only extend Moscow's influence.

EU calls all ambassadors from Belarus — 28 February 2012, 23:07 CET

The European Union Tuesday recalled all its ambassadors to Belarus after Minsk decided to expel two of them in retaliation for new sanctions imposed by the bloc over the country's rights record.

EU slaps new sanctions on Belarus — 28 February 2012, 11:07 CET

The European Union slapped new sanctions Monday against Belarus in protest against continuing repression by President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

EU agrees new round of sanctions on Belarus — 27 February 2012, 22:35 CET

The European Union agreed Monday to slap sanctions on 21 judicial officials and police in Belarus deemed responsible for repressing the opposition.