Belarus: An outsider to the political values and structures of Europe

Minsk

In terms of geography Belarus is situated in the centre of Europe. Nevertheless it remains an outsider to the political values and structures of Europe. Ruled by an autocratic leader, the people of Belarus do not enjoy the same liberties and opportunities as the citizens of the countries of the EU. Therefore it is important to strengthen the civil society in Belarus.

Belarus

The “Minsk Forum” is an important part of these efforts since its establishment in 1997. With the support of all major German political foundations, among them the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Liberty, it brings together people from various German and Belorussian NGOs with politicians from both countries. The X. Minsk Forum took place November 22-24 in the Capital of Belarus. After the opening address of Rainer Lindner, Chairman of the German- Belorussian Society, and the keynote speech of Gernot Erler, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, various issues were discussed in 3 Workshops and in plenary sessions. The discussions were open and controversial. Most of the speakers stressed that the only means to achieve progress in the democratization of Belarus and in the further development of the relations of Belarus and the EU is dialogue in all spheres of state and society.

The Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Liberty was represented by the Director of the Moscow Office, Dr. Falk Bomsdorf and the Head of the Department for Central, South East and Eastern Europe, Sascha Tamm.