The EUs neighbourhood policy Belarus

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The EUs neighbourhood policy Belarus

• KATARZYNA PISARSKA
• POLISH FORUM OF YOUNG DIPLOMATS
• Genshagen, 25-30 September 2005

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AgendaEU Relations with Ukraine and Belarus

• Belarus some basic facts
• Historical overview of bilateral relations
• Belarus and the European Neighborhood Policy
• Future Priorities

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BELARUS some facts

• Until 1991 a constituent republic of the USSR
• Attained its independence in 1991
• Retained very close political and economic ties
  to Russia
• December 1999 - Belarus and Russia sign a treaty
  on a two-state union envisioning greater
  political and economic integration
• Since the election in July 1995 of countrys
  first president, Alexander LUKASHENKO Belarus
  remains Europes last dictatorship

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BELARUS some facts

• Population 10,300,448
• Ethnic groups Belarusian 81.2, Russian 11.4,
  Polish 3.9, Ukrainian 2.4, other 1.1 (1999
  census)
• Eastern Orthodox 80, other 20
• GDP 6,4 (2004)
• GDP per capita 6,800 (2004)
• Official unemployment 2
• Import partners Russia 50, Germany 13.3,
  Ukraine 4.3, Poland 4.2 (2004)

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Historical overview EU Relations with Belarus
before ENP

• 1991 Recognision of Belarus as an independent
  state by the EC
• 1995 Negotiations on the Partnership and
  Cooperation Agreement (PCA) are completed
• 1996 progress in bilateral relations stalled as
  a consequence of serious setbacks to the
  development of democracy in Belarus
• 1997 the EU Council of Ministers decided that
• the EC will conclude neither the interim
  agreement nor the PCA
• bilateral ministerial contacts between the EU and
  Belarus will be suspended
• implementation of TACIS will be halted (except in
  the case of humanitarian aid or regional
  projects)

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Historical overview EU Relations with Belarus
before ENP

• 1999 EU adopts a stick and carrot approach
  toward Belarus. Sanctions are to be lifted only
  if the country fulfills 4 OSCE benchmarks
• Substantial powers to the Parliament are returned
• Opposition is represented in electoral
  commissions
• Fair access to state media for opposition is
  granted
• Electoral legislation conforms to international
  standarts
• 2000/2001 EU with OSCE monitor parliamentary
  and presidential elections. None fulfilled
  democratic standarts
• The situation concerning human rights and
  fundamental freedom continues to deteriorate in
  2003-2005

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The European Neighbourhood Policy

• BELARUS WITHIN THE ENP
• Initially Belarus was interested in ENP,
  suggesting even specific areas for cooperation
• In early 2004 the EU confirmed that Belarus has
  the opportunity to be an active partner of the EU
  in the framework of the European Neighbourhood
  Policy
• The anti-democratic developments (2004
  parliamentary elections) have made it impossible
  for Belarus to benefit from the ENP
• The November 2004 Council Conclusions confirmed
  1997 diplomatic sanctions and underlined that
  future progress in bilateral relations depends on
  democratic developments in Belarus

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The institutional framework EU
Relations with Belarus today

• VERY LIMITED BILATERAL COOPERATION
• No PCA or an Interim Agreement
• Limited TACIS assistance
• No bilateral ministerial contacts
• No ENP Action Plan for Belarus
• Implementation of democratisation programmes
  continues in close collaboration with the Council
  of Europe and the OSCE (Assistance and Monitoring
  Group)

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The Latest Developments

• The 2005 EU ACTIONS TOWARDS BELARUS
• In January the European Commission initiates
  three events on EU assistance to democratization
  and civil society in Belarus
• In August Commissioner or External Affairs Benita
  Ferrero-Waldner rebukes Belarus for its attempts
  to terrorize the countrys Polish minority
• The European Commission grants a 138,000
  contract to Deutsche Welle radio station to
  broadcast to the former Soviet state starting
  from November

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Future perspectives EU Relations with
Belarus

• WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
• EU must formulate a long-term strategy towards
  Belarus aimed at the democratization of the
  country and against the regime
• EU must prepare new tactics and cooperate
  directly with the non-governmental actors
• Funds must be directed towards building a civil
  society (i.e. European Democracy Fund)
• There must be a greater level of coordination
  between the EU and the US (Belarus Democracy Act)
  
• The policy over Belarus can be discussed with
  Russia but NOT negotiated with it
• Integration of Belarus into the EU should remain
  an open question (50 of Belarusians support
  closer cooperation with the EU!)

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Future perspectives EU Relations with
Belarus

• Few practical steps possible
• Visa bans for all regimes high officials,
  judges, police officers etc.
• Liberalization of visa regime for ordinary
  Belarusian citizens
• Identifying and blocking the weapon export from
  Belarus
• Etablishing student exchange programs for Belarus
  independently from state administration
• EU planned mass media support for Belarus
• Establishing EUs permanent representation in
  Minsk and appointing EUs Special Representative
  for Belarus

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THANK YOU......and dont forget about Belarus!

• KATARZYNA PISARSKA
• kpisarska_at_diplomacy.pl