News

Andrei Yahorau: Belarus-EU cooperation has improved, while European perspectives are put off

This paradox is the result of the thaw that is appearing in Belarus-EU relations, which, however, can end with the repeat of the situation of 2010 election. 16.12.2014 | 08:22

Lukashenka: We advocate abolition of sanctions as they directly influence people’s living standards

Belarus advocates abolition of all sanctions as they “have a direct influence on the living standards of ordinary people”, Belarusan president said as he received credentials of foreign ambassadors. 15.12.2014 | 08:01

Invitation to take part in the conference of Belarusan National Platform of the Civil Society Forum

On December 22, 2014 the conference of the Belarusan National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum is to take place in Minsk. 14.12.2014 | 09:04

Minsk Forum 2014: reopening after four years of silence

For Belarus even a tiny, and not particularly successful attempt to gather various actors and stakeholders in one room is an important step forward. 11.12.2014 | 10:30

Maja Kocijančič: “Leaders” of the “people’s republics” are one of those the EU is targeting

Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy speaks about EU’s stance regarding the so-called Novorussia, Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics and sanctions against Kremlin. 04.12.2014 | 11:09

Linas Linkevičius: Political prisoners remain a problem preventing us to make a step forward

Lithuanian Foreign Minister made this statement during the conference "Regional stability and modernization: Challenges and Opportunities in the relations between Belarus and the EU" in Vilnius. 03.12.2014 | 08:06

Belarus: Struggling with the same old problems

Mending relations with the West is pivotal for Belarus that still counts on economic aid and loans from IMF. It would help the economic situation before the election and lower dependence on Russia. 28.11.2014 | 12:19

Valery Karbalevich: The EU has no clear strategy in relation to Belarus

The principal difference of the current Minsk-Brussels dialog from the one at the times of 2008-2010 thaw is that now Belarusan authorities don’t even pretend to carry out internal liberalization. 28.11.2014 | 08:29

Second round of Belarus-EU visa simplification negotiations took place in Brussels

Also, the data of the third round of Negotiations on the Conclusion by Belarus and the European Union of the Agreements on Simplification of Visa Procedures and Readmission is decided on. 27.11.2014 | 11:32

Ulad Vialichka: Staying silent about Tonkacheva’s case, the EU holds with the Belarusan authorities

If a situation is uncomfortable for a bureaucrat, the way-out is to ignore it. 27.11.2014 | 08:31

Ulad Vialichka: EU is ready to shut its eyes to many things

The management of the EU is ready to relax its demands to the official Minsk due to the crisis of the European politics in relation to Belarus and the conflict in Ukraine. 26.11.2014 | 08:12

Ulad Vialichka: No switch of the EaP CS Forum to pro-active position happened in Batumi

The sixth meeting of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) in Batumi is coming to a closure. What did happen at it and what didn’t? Did it come up to the expectations or not? 24.11.2014 | 08:15

Andrei Yahorau: EaP Civil Society Forum in Batumi either brings reforms or becomes formalization

The sixth meeting of the EaP CSF that is to take place on November 20-21 in Batumi will certainly be more lively and dynamic that the two previous ones. 21.11.2014 | 09:02

Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: retrospective review for the future

The annual assembly in Batumi is a chance for the EaP and EU civil society to assess the situation in the region and formulate priorities for common agenda for reforms of the EaP countries. 21.11.2014 | 08:05

Ahead of elections, Lukashenka uses “external enemy” factor to win support of electorate

When the president campaign starts, he won’t put focus on economy, but rather on preserving political stability versus “destabilising” factors, thus traditionally toughening rhetoric against Poland. 20.11.2014 | 11:07

Next week agreement on visa simplification between Belarus and EU is to be discussed in Brussels

The fourth EU-Belarus Interim Phase meeting on modernisation issues between Belarus and the EU took place in Minsk. 20.11.2014 | 08:03

Opinion:Amid rising threats to regional security sanctions against Belarusan officials may be lifted

Due to its neutral stance over the crisis in Ukraine, the official Minsk expects Brussels to suspend sanctions unconditionally. 11.11.2014 | 08:04

Belarus might get Special Guest status in the Council of Europe, Director of Political Advice says

The head of the Directorate of Political Advice in the Council of Europe Secretariat is confident of Belarus' accession to Council of Europe. 10.11.2014 | 08:00

European Scholarship Scheme for Young Belarusians (ESSYB) opens new call for applications

The program will be offering 30 scholarships for Belarusian citizens to obtain an internationally recognized postgraduate education in Europe. 05.11.2014 | 07:59

Bruce Bucknell: Belarus has fairly little petty corruption, but it has a heavy bureaucratic burden

Editor-in-chief of BelarusDigest interviewed Bruce Bucknell, British Ambassador to Belarus who has been serving in Minsk since 2012. 04.11.2014 | 11:45

Point of view: Belarus has begun losing momentum in its UN-centered multilateral efforts

Instead of capitalising on recent shy advance in Belarus-EU relations, resentment, anti-Western rhetoric and unjustified bragging fill the latest statements of Belarusan officials from the UN rostrum. 21.10.2014 | 10:27

Viktor Denisenko: All in Lithuania understand that it is Moscow that poses the threat, not Minsk

In case of Russia’s military aggression, Lithuania expects to hold out for a day before NATO forces come, hoping that real military support won’t be replaced by unreal “concern”. 20.10.2014 | 12:46

Opinion: Despite Lukashenka’s words, he is unlikely to send a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine

The parties to the Ukrainian conflict regard Belarus’ potential participation in the peacekeeping mission as strengthening Russia’s position. 13.10.2014 | 11:27

Official Minsk hopes to improve its relations with EU by supporting Moldova’s European integration

EU-Moldova Association Agreement will create more chances to promote Belarus’ interests on the EU market, the Belarusan authorities believe. 06.10.2014 | 12:18