A Brighter Future: Eu Membership Benefits For Belarus

Belarus and the European Union have had a tumultuous relationship since the EU recognised the former's independence in 1991. The election of Alexander Lukashenko as Belarusian leader in 1994 led to a deterioration in relations, with the EU imposing sanctions on the country for its authoritarian and anti-democratic practices. However, there have been periods of improved relations, such as in 2015 when the EU suspended most sanctions following the release of political prisoners. Belarus has also participated in the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative and has trade relations with several EU member states. Despite this, Belarus has shown no aspirations to join the EU and maintains a bilateral relationship with the bloc. The EU has committed to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Belarus and has provided financial assistance to support civil society and democratic forces in the country. The EU has also imposed restrictive measures and sanctions in response to human rights violations and Belarus' involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Improved trade relations

The European Union could bring improved trade relations to Belarus. Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe with a population of 9.1 million. It has a developed industrial economy, with key industries including heavy machinery, agricultural products, and energy products. Belarus has trade relations with over 180 countries, and prior to the political and humanitarian crisis of 2020, the EU was Belarus's second-largest trading partner, accounting for almost a fifth of the country's overall trade.

The EU and Belarus had established a formal Trade Dialogue, which met twice a year to exchange views and information, including on domestic regulations and other trade concerns. The EU had also supported Belarus's accession to the World Trade Organization and provided technical assistance through the TAIEX and Twinning instruments.

However, following the 2020 presidential election and subsequent crackdown on peaceful protesters, the EU imposed sanctions on Belarus, which included import and export restrictions on various goods. Despite this, the EU remains committed to supporting the Belarusian people and civil society, and has provided substantial financial assistance to key sectors such as civil society, human rights, independent media, education, and culture.

The EU has also expressed its readiness to mobilise a substantial investment package for Belarus of up to €3 billion to support successful economic reforms and increase the economy's resilience, growth potential, and job creation. This comprehensive plan of economic support would be implemented through a range of political and financial instruments, in close coordination with international financial institutions such as the EIB and EBRD.

Furthermore, the EU has developed close engagement with Belarusian citizens, increasing support in areas such as education, mobility, and youth exchanges under programmes like Erasmus+ and EU4Youth. The EU-Belarus Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, which came into force in 2020, have also made it easier for Belarusian citizens to acquire visas to the EU by reducing costs and waiting times.

In summary, the European Union has the potential to bring significant improvements to trade relations with Belarus, including increased investment, economic support, and improved mobility for citizens. However, the current political situation and sanctions have impacted the level of trade between the two.

Visa-free travel

The European Union and Belarus have had a complicated relationship since the EU recognised the latter's independence in 1991. The relationship has been marred by the EU's condemnation of the Belarusian government for its authoritarian and anti-democratic practices, which led to sanctions being imposed on the country. However, there have been periods of improved relations, such as in 2015 when the EU suspended most of its sanctions against Belarus following the release of political prisoners.

One area where the EU could bring positive change for Belarus is through visa-free travel. Currently, Belarusian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter the European Union, which can be a costly and time-consuming process. In 2019, the EU announced plans to simplify the requirements for obtaining Schengen visas for Belarusians, reducing the costs and time needed for application approval. This would make it easier for Belarusian citizens to travel to the EU for tourism, business, or other purposes.

The EU's Visa Facilitation Agreement, which came into force on 1 July 2020, is a step towards improving mobility and contacts between the EU and Belarusian citizens. The agreement reduces the visa fee to EUR 35 and the service fee to EUR 30, making it more affordable for Belarusians to obtain a visa. Additionally, for certain categories of travellers such as businesspeople, journalists, and representatives of civil society organisations, the visa fee is waived entirely.

However, it is important to note that the Visa Facilitation Agreement does not eliminate the need for a visa altogether. Belarusian citizens still need to go through the process of applying for and obtaining a visa before they can travel to the EU. This process can be cumbersome and time-consuming, involving gathering various documents, scheduling an appointment, and attending a visa interview.

In recent years, there have been efforts to further improve visa facilitation between the EU and Belarus. In 2023, the EU allocated EUR 700,000 in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable people stranded at the Belarus border. This included funding for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and additional humanitarian funding. The EU is also committed to supporting alternative educational and cultural projects that contribute to maintaining the Belarusian identity, particularly in the context of Russia's growing influence and the forced Russification of Belarusian society.

While visa facilitation is a positive step towards improving relations between the EU and Belarus, there are still challenges to be addressed. The Belarusian government's involvement in hybrid attacks at the EU's external borders, including the orchestration of migration crises for political purposes, has led to tensions and restrictive measures from the EU. Nevertheless, the EU remains committed to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Belarus, and continues to support Belarusian civil society and democratic forces.

Support for democratic elections

The European Union has repeatedly condemned the Belarusian government for its anti-democratic practices and human rights violations. The EU has also refused to recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate leader of Belarus, citing election fraud and the violent repression of peaceful protesters.

The EU has a vested interest in supporting democratic elections in Belarus. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing how the European Union could bring about democratic elections in Belarus:

The European Union has repeatedly called for free and fair elections in Belarus, and it is committed to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the country. The EU has imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials and restricted trade with the country to pressure the Belarusian government to respect democratic principles and uphold human rights.

The EU can support democratic elections in Belarus by:

• Providing technical assistance and funding to help strengthen electoral processes and institutions in Belarus, including training for election officials and observers.
• Assisting with voter education and registration campaigns to ensure that all eligible citizens are informed and able to participate in elections.
• Deploying election monitoring missions to observe the electoral process and ensure that international standards for democratic elections are met.
• Offering support to civil society organisations and independent media outlets in Belarus to promote transparency and accountability during elections.
• Working with the Belarusian government and opposition groups to establish a clear framework for democratic elections, including agreed-upon rules and procedures.
• Facilitating dialogue between the Belarusian government and opposition groups to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the electoral process and that any disputes are resolved peacefully.

The EU's support for democratic elections in Belarus is crucial to helping the country transition to a more open and democratic political system. By providing assistance and oversight, the EU can help ensure that future elections in Belarus are free, fair, and transparent, reflecting the will of the Belarusian people.

The EU's efforts to promote democracy in Belarus are also part of its broader strategy to foster stability and prosperity in the region. A democratic Belarus that respects human rights and the rule of law would be a more reliable partner for the EU and could benefit from increased economic cooperation and integration with the bloc.

However, it is important to note that the path to democratic elections in Belarus may be challenging and require a long-term commitment from the EU. The Belarusian government has a history of resisting external pressure and cracking down on dissent. Therefore, the EU must be prepared to maintain its support for democratic reforms in Belarus over the long term and coordinate its efforts with other international partners to maximise their impact.

Humanitarian aid

The European Union has been providing humanitarian aid to Belarus in the form of financial assistance, which has amounted to almost €140 million through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) from 2020 to 2024. This aid has been directed towards six key sectors: civil society, human rights, independent media, education, culture, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in exile.

The EU has also supported alternative educational and cultural projects to help maintain the Belarusian identity in the face of growing Russian influence and the forced Russification of society. This includes funding for the cultural sector and exiled businesses, as well as programmes such as EU4Culture, EU4 Independent Media, EU 4 Gender Equality, and Partnership for Good Governance.

In addition, the EU has provided humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people stranded at the Belarus border. In November 2021, the EU allocated €700,000 in humanitarian aid to support those in need, with €200,000 going to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and €500,000 in additional humanitarian funding.

The EU has also been working to improve mobility and contacts between European Union and Belarusian citizens. The EU-Belarus Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, which came into force on 1 July 2020, have made it easier and more affordable for Belarusian citizens to acquire visas to enter the European Union. The Visa Facilitation Agreement reduced the visa fee to €35 and the service fee to €30, and waived the visa fee altogether for certain categories of travellers such as businesspeople, journalists, and representatives of civil society organisations.

However, it is important to note that the EU-Belarus relationship has been strained due to the authoritarian regime of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, human rights violations, and Belarus's complicity in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the EU has imposed sanctions on Belarus and restricted mobility for certain individuals associated with the regime.

Economic sanctions relief

The European Union has imposed a series of economic sanctions on Belarus in response to its involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the repression of civil society and ordinary citizens, and the orchestration of migration crises for political purposes. These sanctions have targeted individuals, entities, and specific sectors of the Belarusian economy.

The EU's economic sanctions against Belarus include:

• Individual restrictive measures: The EU has imposed asset freezes and travel bans on individuals closely associated with the Lukashenko regime, including the president himself, Aliaksandr Lukashenka. These individuals are subject to an asset ban and are prohibited from making funds available to them. Additionally, natural persons are subject to a travel ban, preventing them from entering or transiting through EU territories.
• Targeted economic sanctions: The EU has implemented prohibitions on the sale of specific equipment, technology, or software to Belarus. This includes restrictions on trade in petroleum products, potassium chloride (potash), iron and steel, wood, cement, and goods for the production of tobacco products. The EU has also imposed broad financial restrictions and prohibited the provision of insurance to the Belarusian government or public bodies.
• Arms embargo: The EU has tightened the arms embargo on Belarus by removing previous derogations and introduced a ban on the export of dual-use goods for certain uses.
• Trade restrictions: The EU has imposed import and export restrictions on various goods, including import restrictions on potash, mineral fuels and oils, wood, iron and steel, cement, and rubber tires. Export restrictions have been placed on dual-use goods (with certain exceptions), machinery, industrial goods, items used for tobacco production, and certain luxury goods.
• SWIFT ban: The EU has banned five Belarusian banks from using the SWIFT payment system, disrupting their ability to conduct international financial transactions.
• Prohibition on transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus: The EU has prohibited transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus, limiting the country's access to its foreign currency reserves and ability to manage its public debt.
• Limits on financial inflows: The EU has restricted the amount of funds that can flow from Belarus to the EU, further constraining the country's access to foreign capital.
• Prohibition on euro-denominated banknotes: The EU has prohibited the provision of euro-denominated banknotes to Belarus, impacting the country's ability to conduct international transactions and access foreign currency.

The economic sanctions relief that the European Union could bring to Belarus would involve the removal or relaxation of these measures. This could include:

• Lifting asset freezes and travel bans on individuals: The EU could remove individuals associated with the Lukashenko regime from the sanctions list, allowing them to access their assets and travel freely within the EU.
• Easing restrictions on trade: The EU could lift or reduce the restrictions on the import and export of goods, such as petroleum products, potash, wood, and steel. This would allow Belarusian businesses to resume normal trade activities with EU countries.
• Reinstating access to the SWIFT payment system: The EU could allow Belarusian banks to resume using the SWIFT system, facilitating their international financial transactions.
• Removing the prohibition on transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus: Lifting this restriction would enable Belarus to access its foreign currency reserves and manage its public debt more effectively.
• Increasing financial inflows: The EU could relax the limits on financial inflows from Belarus to the EU, providing Belarusian businesses and individuals with greater access to the EU market.
• Allowing the provision of euro-denominated banknotes: The EU could permit the provision of euro banknotes to Belarus, improving the country's ability to conduct international transactions.

It is important to note that the EU has previously suspended or lifted sanctions against Belarus when positive developments occurred, such as the release of political prisoners in 2015. However, the current sanctions are primarily in response to Belarus's involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and a significant improvement in relations would likely be required for the EU to consider providing economic sanctions relief.

Frequently asked questions