Author Description

Belarus is a small country of only 10 million inhabitants on the south-west fringes of Russia. It has few natural resources, does little trade with the West, has virtually no tourism and shows little interest in the world to its west. But it has one feature which is bringing it to the attention of a wider European public: following EU enlargement it will have more than 100 kilometers of frontier with the EU. This book is designed to give the reader a picture of where Belarus stands more than a decade after independence, how it may develop internally, and prospects for relations with its neighbors; and to put forward a variety of ideas about the EU's policy towards Belarus and how, if at all, it might be made more effective. This book addresses some of the most important questions facing Belarus. Is the current system sustainable? Will President Putin be willing to continue the massive economic subsidies which keep the Belarusian economy afloat? If so, will he demand some pay-back for his support? Can any kind of credible opposition develop? Will the younger generation want a different system or way of life? The book presents a multi-faceted view of Belarus and its relations with the EU and others. The contributors include academics and analysts, politicians and practitioners, from Belarus (official and unoffical), all over Europe and beyond. Contributors include a wide range of academics and officials, professionals and practitioners, from Belarus, EU countries and beyond.