24 November 2010
Venue: 1 Place du Congres, 1000 Brussels
Belarus looks as interesting as ever before the upcoming presidential election. Russia is actively pursuing what appears to be a regime change policy for many Belarus watchers. Moscow declares it is not willing to bargain its principles. The EU has renewed the visa sanctions against some Belarusian government officials but also suspended them again. Moreover, Brussels has drafted a joined action plan with Belarus despite the lack of a legal framework for bilateral cooperation. Brussels says it is not willing to bargain its values. Are the two mighty neighbours neutralising each other giving yet another chance to Aliaksandr Lukashenka?
Meanwhile Minsk is preparing for the usual election scenario although in a more liberal atmosphere. Though there are some signs of reforms in the economic and finance sectors, especially targeting improvement of business climate, “adoption” of some part of the political opponents and civil society, no political reform is to be noticed.
How determined is Russia towards Belarus and especially towards Aliaksandr Lukashenka? For how long would Belarus’ leader be able to handle pressure from both Russia and the European Union? Could Belarus serve as a model for other CIS countries on how to face political and economic conditionalities coming from the EU and Russia.
Please confirm your participation by e-mail:
alyona@democraticbelarus.eu
Download the preliminary programme
Venue: