Events
Clingendael conferences on Eastern Europe, 2004
Monday 29 November 2004
East, West... Whither Belarus?
The region 'in-between' the EU and the Russian Federation is developing into an area where these two actors show rivalry over influence. The EU has started the implementation of its European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at its eastern neighbours whereas Russian policy makers exhibit an increasing assertiveness vis-à-vis their western neighbours Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. In all three of these societies orientations towards integration with the EU coexist with an acute awareness that ties with Russia will remain important. Thus, this buffer zone is developing into an economic and diplomatic battlefield where the EU’s primary concern is over the sovereignty and stability of the ‘countries in-between’ and that of Russia over the maximisation of its influence on their domestic situation and foreign policy orientation. Several new EU member states in Central Europe now influence the EU’s eastern policy.
Against this background the four Clingendael conferences focus on the individual countries in relation to their environment and the EU-Russia rivalry. They address topical issues in the light of the specific history of the region over the past Century. Conferences on Russia, Moldova and Ukraine took place in March, June, and September. On 29 November the situation in Belarus will be discussed. Alexander Lukashenko has ruled this country for more than a decade. His rule has brought stagnation and isolation. Yet, many in Belarus aspire to the normalisation of relations with ‘institutional Europe’ and the rest of the world. Economic reform is long overdue and in urgent need. Is there any ground for optimism?
Preliminary Programme
| 13.00-13.30 | Arrival of guests |
| 13.30–13.45 | Opening & introductionDr John Löwenhardt, Clingendael Research Department |
| 13.45–14.00 | The setting: Belarusian society in the 21st CenturyNelly Bekus-Goncharova, Writer in Residence, City of Amsterdam |
| 14.00–14.30 | The OSCE perspective on BelarusAmbassador Dr Eberhard Heyken, Head of the OSCE Office in Minsk |
| 14.30–14.45 | Questions |
| 14.45–15.15 | The Belarusian economy between past and futureDr Leonid Zaiko, Analytical Centre ‘Strategy’, Minsk |
| 15.15–15.30 | Questions |
| 15.30–16.00 | Coffee / tea break |
| 16.00–16.30 | The suppression of civil society: The case of the trade unionsLeo Mesman, Netherlands Trade Union Confederation FNV, Policy Advisor for Central and Eastern Europe |
| 16.30–17.15 | Questions and Panel discussion |
| 17.15 | Drinks reception |