Belarus: Options for the EU

In his article published by The European
Policy Centre, Andrew Hillman looks at the options for the EU
in its relations with Belarus. He recommends a multi-faceted
approach including targeted sanctions, constructive
engagement with the opposition to President Aleksander
Lukashenko and increased funding for civil
society.  

Introduction 

It is ten years since the rise to power of
President Aleksander Lukashenko in Belarus. Ten
years that have seen the transformation of a
democratically elected Presidency into an
undemocratic authoritarian regime in which free
media and political opposition have
“disappeared.” Throughout these
years, many different events have led the
international community and the European Union
to condemn Belarus and in some cases take
political means against it. This month, another
two events take place, and it will be again
time for the international community and Europe
to decide how it will react. 

This paper will look at current events, and
evaluate the options for EU-Belarussian
relations in the future. It will then set these
into the wider context of the international
community paying particular attention to
Russia’s role.

Visit the EPC website 
to read the commentary in full

.