Belarus And Nato: Allies Or Adversaries?

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus has not joined NATO because it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization under the auspices of Russia. Belarus joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1995 and has participated in the Individual Partnership Program since 1997. Belarus has its own diplomatic mission in NATO, which opened in 1998. In 2021, NATO suspended all practical cooperation with Belarus, citing the country's role in enabling Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has expressed readiness to resume pragmatic interaction with NATO on an equal and mutually respectful basis. Belarus's unique geography and historical context make it strategically important for both NATO and Russia.

Belarus-NATO relations began in 1992 when Belarus joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council

Belarus-NATO relations began in 1992 when the country joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. This forum for dialogue was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.

In 1995, Belarus joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme, viewing it as an important tool to strengthen cooperation in the political, military, economic, scientific and legal fields with NATO as a whole, as well as with individual NATO member states. The Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP) was the main planning document of Belarus' participation in the PfP. It was adopted on a biennial basis and specified the priorities for cooperation between Belarus and NATO.

In 1998, Belarus opened its diplomatic mission to NATO in Brussels. This marked the beginning of bilateral cooperation between the two, with the first Individual Partnership Program with Belarus being endorsed by the NATO Council in July 1997. Belarus has participated in NATO's Individual Partnership Program since 1997 without joining NATO.

Belarus has not joined NATO because it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization under the auspices of Russia. Security Treaties with NATO regulate the exchange of classified information affecting the interests of sovereign states. Belarus formally announced its accession to the NATO process on 19 January 2004, and in January 2006, Belarus and NATO approved the first package of partnership documents.

Tensions between NATO and Belarus peaked after the March 2006 presidential election in Belarus, as the country began to move in the Russian direction of policy. Belarus's relations with EU and NATO member states have deteriorated since.

Belarus has participated in NATO's Individual Partnership Program since 1997 without joining NATO

Belarus has a long history of relations with NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Belarus has participated in NATO's Individual Partnership Program since 1997 without joining NATO.

The country first began its cooperation with NATO in 1992 when it joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, which was transformed into the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997. In 1995, Belarus joined the "Partnership for Peace" (PfP) programme, which aimed to strengthen cooperation in the political, military, economic, scientific, and legal fields with NATO and its individual member states.

The Individual Partnership and Cooperation Program (IPCP) is the main planning document of Belarus' participation in the PfP. The IPCP is adopted on a biennial basis, with the first Individual Partnership Program with Belarus endorsed by the NATO Council in July 1997. The IPCP outlines the priorities for cooperation between Belarus and NATO, the activities to be attended by Belarusian representatives, and the allocation of forces and resources for the benefit of the PfP.

Belarus has not joined NATO because it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization under the auspices of Russia, and the Security Treaties with NATO regulate the exchange of classified information affecting the interests of sovereign states. Despite this, Belarus has continued its participation in NATO's Individual Partnership Program, which has included practical actions for joint implementation in areas such as civil planning, military education, and training for multinational operations.

Belarus has expressed interest in maintaining constructive cooperation with NATO on principles of mutual respect and contributing to the preservation of peace and the creation of indivisible Euro-Atlantic security. However, since 2020, there has been a decline in interaction between the two, with NATO suspending all practical cooperation with Belarus in 2021 while maintaining dialogue.

Belarus's role in Russia's war against Ukraine has been condemned by NATO

Belarus is not a member of NATO, but it has been a partner since 1995, when it joined the Partnership for Peace program. Belarus has participated in NATO's Individual Partnership Program since 1997 without joining NATO. Belarus has not joined NATO because it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization under the auspices of Russia.

NATO has called on Belarus to end its complicity with Russia and to return to compliance with international law. NATO has also condemned Russia's deployment of advanced military capabilities and personnel in Belarus, including the announced stationing of nuclear weapons in the country.

The relationship between Belarus and NATO has been strained since the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, which sparked mass protests and a brutal crackdown by the regime. NATO has expressed serious concern over the arbitrary detentions and abductions of opposition figures and called on Belarusian authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In response to Belarus's actions, NATO suspended all practical cooperation with the country in November 2021 while maintaining dialogue as necessary.

NATO has restricted Belarus' access to its headquarters in Brussels

Belarus and NATO have shared a complex relationship since the former joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992. In 1995, Belarus joined NATO's "Partnership for Peace" programme, which aimed to strengthen cooperation in political, military, economic, scientific, and legal areas. Belarus has participated in NATO's Individual Partnership Program since 1997 without officially joining NATO, as it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization under Russia. Belarus has had its own diplomatic mission in NATO since 1998, and in 2004, it acceded to the PfP Planning and Review Process to develop a framework for military cooperation.

However, relations between the two have been strained at times, particularly after the 2006 presidential election in Belarus, which led to a shift in the country's policy direction towards Russia. In 2021, NATO Allies suspended practical cooperation with Belarus while maintaining dialogue, citing concerns over human rights violations and Belarus's role in enabling Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In 2024, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus to NATO headquarters for an exchange of views. Stoltenberg commended Tsikhanouskaya's courage in standing up for democracy and human rights in Belarus and expressed concern about the crackdown on the opposition and civil society by President Lukashenko's regime.

Notably, in the wake of the 2020 protests in Belarus, self-proclaimed President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly intimidated Belarusian citizens with the prospect of a NATO invasion from Poland and Lithuania. In response to Belarus's actions in forcibly landing a Ryanair aircraft and arresting Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega, NATO took the decision to restrict Belarus's access to its headquarters in Brussels. This incident, along with others, has contributed to the deterioration of Belarus's relations with NATO and its member states.

Belarus has a diplomatic mission in NATO

Belarus and NATO have had a diplomatic relationship since 1992, when Belarus joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. This forum was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.

In 1995, Belarus joined the "Partnership for Peace" programme, which aimed to strengthen cooperation in political, military, economic, scientific, and legal areas with NATO and its member states. Since then, Belarus has participated in several NATO programmes and activities, including the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Program, the Individual Partnership Program, and the Planning and Review Process.

In April 1998, Belarus opened its Permanent Mission to NATO in Brussels, marking an important step in the development of bilateral relations. This diplomatic mission has served as a platform for maintaining dialogue, exchanging views, and addressing concerns between Belarus and NATO.

The relationship between Belarus and NATO has experienced tensions and challenges, particularly regarding Belarus's relations with Russia and its compliance with international laws and human rights standards. Despite these differences, both parties have continued to engage and collaborate in specific areas of mutual interest.

Belarus's diplomatic mission to NATO plays a crucial role in facilitating communication, fostering understanding, and addressing areas of concern between the two parties. It provides a dedicated channel for Belarus to engage with NATO, discuss regional and international security issues, and explore opportunities for cooperation while also allowing NATO to communicate its expectations and conditions for further collaboration.

The presence of the diplomatic mission has enabled Belarus and NATO to maintain a line of communication, even during periods of tension. It provides a platform for addressing concerns, such as Belarus's relationship with Russia, its compliance with international laws, and its respect for human rights and political freedoms.

The diplomatic mission also facilitates Belarus's participation in NATO programmes and activities, such as education and training opportunities, civil emergency response exercises, and the destruction of anti-personnel mines. Through this mission, Belarus has been able to strengthen its cooperation with NATO and its member states, enhancing regional security and stability.

While Belarus and NATO have had a complex relationship, the existence of the diplomatic mission underscores the commitment of both parties to maintain a channel for dialogue, address mutual concerns, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

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