Opinion: Official Minsk is unhappy with Eurasian integration and tries to reboot Belarus-EU relation

Belarusan authorities have engaged all communication channels to normalise relations with EU, asking for guarantees of further development in Belarus-Europe economic and political relations.

At the same time, Minsk demonstrates satisfaction with the pace, at which Belarusan-European relations evolve, in order not to make Russia nervous about Belarus “going West”.

Last week, Belarusan Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Kupchina met with a delegation of high-level diplomats representing the following EU foreign ministries: Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

At the meeting, the parties discussed topical issues of Belarus-EU cooperation, including cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, preparations for the Riga Summit, and prospects for cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and the EU. In addition, they exchanged views on the situation in the region. 

The Belarusan authorities have noted the positive changes in the EU policy towards neighbouring countries, including Belarus, i.e. its differentiation and individuation. Yet during the meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Helga Schmid President Lukashenka underscored the importance of having pragmatic relations and the role Belarus played in ensuring regional security – “when it comes to war and peace issues, all other issues simply fade away”.

Despite the fact that the Belarusan authorities have not released political prisoners and somewhat strengthened repressions against the opposition and independent media, the Belarusan opposition is not ready to oppose the Belarus-EU rapprochement. However, the Belarusan authorities are unlikely to agree to a joint Belarusan delegation to the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly: one-half of the delegates from the Belarusan parliament, and the other half from civil society. The Belarusan authorities are attempting to exclude their opponents from the Belarus-EU settlement process completely.

In addition, the Belarusan authorities are attempting to neutralise the Russian media reports, which refer to the Eastern Partnership as the "cordon sanitaire” around Russia. They present their participation in the EP initiative as “building a bridge” between Russia and the EU.

Belarus has offered Brussels to consider cooperation between the EU and the EEU in order to “create a common economic space between Lisbon and Vladivostok” – i.e. has reiterated President Putin’s earlier theses. By using such tactics, the Belarusan authorities aspire to somewhat rebuff potential pressure from the Kremlin, while not having the intention to materialise this idea.

That said, the Belarusan authorities do not seem to be satisfied with the Eurasian integration, which has become less attractive with Russia being in recession and EEU markets in depression. However, Belarus is willing to use her publicity potential, which is rather inflated, as a mediator between East and West. For example, during his recent visit, Pope Francis’ Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin assured official Minsk that the Holy See was ready to engage in a process of Belarus-EU normalisation “in view of Belarus’ geographical location and her role as a bridge between East and West”. 

Official Minsk is extremely interested in joint projects with the EU in border management, economy and other non-political spheres. Meanwhile, the Belarusan authorities have delayed the visa liberalisation process and the introduction of small border traffic with Poland and Lithuania “for technical reasons”.

The Belarusan authorities attempt to create conditions for rebooting relations with the EU – most likely after the presidential election campaign in Belarus.

Originally published at Solidarity with Belarus Information Office