Belarus and European countries

Geographically, historically and culturally Belarus is an integral part of Europe, situated at the crossroads of major transportation and trade routes that link various regions of the European continent. The country contributes significantly to security in Europe, fight against drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, illegal migration and trafficking in human beings.

Despite the peace initiatives of Minsk, proposals to ensure global food security, readiness to work together to resolve the migration crisis, recognition by the West and leading international structures of the fact that Belarus is not a party to the conflict in Ukraine, diplomatic, economic and informational pressure on Belarus has noticeably increased.

In 2023, the implementation by the West of the line of refusing an equal dialogue with the Republic of Belarus to the detriment of its own economic interests and ensuring regional security continued.

Against the background of the negative dynamics of political relations, unscrupulous and illegal blocking of economic ties with Belarus by the West, the Belarusian side continued to fulfill its international obligations related to ensuring security in the region and the movement of goods flows, demonstrating its readiness to build good neighborly relations with the European Union, primarily with neighboring states, for whose citizens a visa-free regime was introduced.

Belarus established diplomatic relations practically with all European states. 27 Belarusian diplomatic missions currently operate in the following 21 countries of Europe: Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Many of them are accredited concurrently in the neighboring countries.

In the recent years, more emphasis was given to the institution of Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Belarus, representing Belarus in 22 European countries including Turkey and fostering bilateral relations, human exchanges and contacts between the business communities.

Belarus has maintained its openness and focus on mutually beneficial cooperation with European countries, making efforts to prevent its further degradation and at the same time adequately responding to hostile attacks and unilateral restrictions.

More detailed information about cooperation between Belarus and European countries is available on the websites of Belarusian diplomatic missions in Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.