Polityka Republiki Białorusi wobec państw obszaru poradzieckiego
Politics of the Republic of Belarus towards the Soviet region contries

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses the current directions of the policy conducted by Belarus vis -á -vis the former Soviet republics. Three main problems are outlined therein: the external and internal conditioning factors of the policy, its priorities, and activities in different spheres of bilateral relations. Firstly, as regards the external conditioning factors, the stress has been placed on presenting the most important interests of Russia and the European Union vis -á -vis Minsk. The analysis of internal factors encompasses historical and cultural, political and constitutional, as well as socioeconomic layers. Secondly, the article presents the priorities of Belarusian foreign policy as laid down in strategic state documents and official speeches by the president – i.a., these are: the “multi -vector” character of the foreign policy, its “economization” (dominance of economic dimension over other spheres of foreign relations), and – last but not least – widely defined security (i.a. in the field of energy). Finally, the analysis features the current state of Belarus’ relations with other former Soviet republics, covering the political, economic and security and military aspects thereof. Among the post -Soviet states a special position in Minsk’s policy is attributed to Russia, followed by Ukraine. Relations with the rest of the states are of lesser importance to Belarus. However, recent years have seen a visible growth in their dynamics, which can be, to a large extent, ascribed to the efforts made towards diversification of international ties in the context of growing tension in Minsk’s relations with Moscow.

• Details
• Contents