Editing Foreign relations of Belarus (section)

==Prior to 2001==
After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], at which time Belarus gained its independence, Belarus became a member of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS), the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (OSCE), [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]], the [[North Atlantic Cooperation Council]], the [[International Monetary Fund]], and the [[World Bank]]. The adoption by Supreme Council of the BSSR of the declaration of State Sovereignty of Belarus in 1990 was a turning point on the development of the state. It has also been [[Union State|in a supranational union with Russia]] since 2 April 1996, although this has had little practical effect. [[Belarus-Council of Europe relations]] are based on cooperation and it is not a member (like Russia).

===Belarus–Russia relations===
{{further|Foreign relations of Russia towards Belarus}}
The introduction of [[free trade]] between Russia and Belarus in mid-1995 led to a spectacular growth in bilateral trade, which was only temporarily reversed in the wake of the [[History of post-Soviet Russia#The crises of 1998|financial crisis of 1998]]. President [[Alexander Lukashenko]] sought to develop a closer relationship with Russia. The framework for the Union of Russia and Belarus was set out in the Treaty on the Formation of a Community of Russia and Belarus (1996), the Treaty on Russia-Belarus Union, the Union Charter (1997), and the Treaty of the Formation of a Union State (1999). The integration treaties contained commitments to [[monetary union]], [[civil rights|equal rights]], single citizenship, and a common defence and [[foreign policy]].

===Belarus–European Union relations===
{{Main|Belarus–European Union relations}}
Following the recognition of Belarus as an independent state in December 1991 by the [[European Community]], EC/EU-Belarus relations initially experienced a steady progress. The signature of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 1995 signaled a commitment to political, economic and trade cooperation. Some assistance was provided to Belarus within the framework of the [[TACIS]] programme and also through various aid programs and loans. However, progress in EU-Belarus relations stalled in 1996 after serious setbacks to the development of democracy, and the [[Drazdy conflict]].

The EU did not recognize the 1996 constitution, which replaced the 1994 constitution. The [[Council of the European Union]] decided against Belarus in 1997: The PCA was not concluded, nor was its trade-related part; Belarusian membership in the [[Council of Europe]] was not supported; bilateral relations at the ministerial level were suspended and EU technical assistance programs were frozen.

Acknowledging the lack of progress in relation to bilateral relations and the internal situation following the position adopted in 1997, the EU adopted a step-by-step approach in 1999, whereby sanctions would be gradually lifted upon fulfillment of the four benchmarks set by the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]]. In 2000, some moderately positive developments toward the implementation of recommendations made by the OSCE AMG were observed but were not sufficient in the realm of access to fair and free elections.

===Belarus–United Kingdom relations===
{{Main|Belarus–United Kingdom relations}}
Belarus established [[Foreign relations of the United Kingdom|diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom]] on 27 January 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Political Dialogue |url=https://uk.mfa.gov.by/en/bilateral_relations/political/|website=[[Embassy of Belarus, London|Embassy of Belarus in the United Kingdom]]|access-date=10 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114101720/https://uk.mfa.gov.by/en/bilateral_relations/political/|archive-date=14 January 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* Belarus maintains an [[Embassy of Belarus, London|embassy]] in [[London]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Diplomat Magazine|date=20 May 2019|url=https://diplomatmagazine.com/heads-of-mission/europe/belarus/|title=Belarus|website=Diplomat Magazine|access-date=10 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304223424/https://diplomatmagazine.com/heads-of-mission/europe/belarus/|archive-date=4 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The United Kingdom is accredited to Belarus through its embassy in Minsk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-minsk|title=British Embassy Minsk|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|access-date=10 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306110559/https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-minsk|archive-date=6 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

Both countries share common membership of the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]]. Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Agreement,<ref>{{Cite web|author=[[HM Revenue and Customs]]|date=23 December 2007|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/belarus-tax-treaties|title=Belarus: tax treaties|website=GOV.UK|access-date=10 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306092224/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/belarus-tax-treaties|archive-date=6 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> and an Investment Agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bit/456/belarus---united-kingdom-bit-1994-|title=Belarus - United Kingdom BIT (1994)|website=[[UN Trade and Development]]|access-date=10 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501194051/https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bit/456/belarus---united-kingdom-bit-1994-|archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Belarus–United States relations===
{{Main|Belarus–United States relations}}

The United States has encouraged Belarus to conclude and adhere to agreements with the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) on the program of macroeconomic stabilization and related reform measures, as well as to undertake increased privatization and to create a favorable climate for business and investment. Although there has been some American direct private investment in Belarus, its development has been relatively slow given the uncertain pace of reform. An Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement was signed in June 1992 but has been suspended since 1995 because Belarus did not fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

Belarus is eligible for [[Export-Import Bank of the United States|Export-Import Bank]] short-term financing [[insurance]] for U.S. investments, but because of the adverse business climate, no projects have been initiated. The IMF granted standby credit in September 1995, but Belarus has fallen off the program and did not receive the second tranche of funding, which had been scheduled for regular intervals throughout 1996.

The United States - along with the European Union - has restricted the travel of President Alexander Lukashenko and members of his inner circle, as well as imposing economic sanctions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17941637|title=Belarus profile - Timeline|date=2016-09-20|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref>

===Belarus–Baltic relations===

{{Further|Belarus-Estonia relations}}, {{Further|Belarus-Latvia relations}}, {{Further|Belarus-Lithuania relations}}