Relations between Belarus and the European Union (within the framework of the Eastern Partnership of the European Neighborhood Policy)

The theme of this diploma thesis are relations between the Republic of Belarus and the European Union. All related topics are covered. The European Neighborhood Policy, but especially its eastern dimension, the Eastern Partnership. Furthermore, Belarus itself, its economic and political development, but also its relations with the Russian Federation. The main aim of the thesis was to identify the position of Belarus between two influences: the EU and Russia. Methodology used in the thesis was a comparison. The relations between Belarus and the two above-mentioned actors were compared before the establishment of the Eastern Partnership (before 2009), and after this year. In other words, the work sought to find out whether the EU, in the framework of the Eastern Partnership project, has brought Belarus closer to the EU, thereby weakening its strong relations with Russia. Two areas of relationship were distinguished: political (diplomatic) and economic. The development of the political scene and the economic situation of Belarus itself were also analyzed in order to determine whether cooperation with these actors led to a change in the system. However, also in order to identify whether the EU's objectives set out in the Eastern Partnership project have been at least partially met in case of Belarus.