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General Provisions of Belarusian Foreign Policy
Foreign policy of any state naturally develops from its domestic policy. The
strategic parameters of the country's development formulated by President
Alexander Lukashenko find reflection in Belarusian foreign policy. Most
substantial among them public consent, the account of interests of each
citizen together with the interests of the society, law supremacy,
inadmissibility of any forms of national, ethnic or confessional extremism.
Modern system of international relations is now experiencing one of the most
complicated periods. Bipolar world has become a history, while a multipolar
system is steadily coming into being. The present transitional period is
characterized by both competition and cooperation of countries.
Foreign policy of Belarus is based on deep realization of its responsibility
for the current situation and for further world community development, on
the multilateral recognition of the interests and rights of other states to
peaceful and sustainable development, inadmissibility of imposed, forceful
or military methods of conflict settlement, and non-intervention in the
domestic affairs of other countries.
Belarusian foreign policy has long-term perspective and is directed at the
achievement of national priorities in the sphere of security, creation of
favorable external conditions for the economic, social and cultural
development of Belarusian society by diplomatic means. On the international
arena Belarus performs its activities in many directions and areas. Belarus
is situated in the center of Europe, on the crossroads from the West to the
East. Therefore the country's interests embrace both eastern and western
hemispheres.
Main foreign policy objectives of Belarus are as follows:
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membership in the international community in the capacity
of a sovereign independent state enjoying equal rights;
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active cooperation in international, primarily European
organizations;
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promotion of a new world order and European security
systems free of "dividing lines";
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participation in multilateral international economic
cooperation;
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active cooperation in international organizations, first
and foremost within the UN.
Regional priorities of Belarusian foreign policy include
Russia and countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),
neighboring countries of Baltic nations and Poland, Europe and European
Union, United States and Asian countries. Foreign economic relations are
based on the principles of conformity with the universally recognized
principles of the open character of the economy, foreign trade
liberalization with the observance of the conditions determined by bilateral
and multilateral agreements on economic and commercial cooperation, mutual
investment protection, avoidance of double-taxation, and by international
conventions as well. Its aims are the integration of the country's economy
into the world economy, creation of favorable conditions for the development
of home industry and the achievement of export-import balance.
Belarus is one of the New Independent States that has no border disputes
with its neighbors, no religious conflicts and discrimination on the basis
of language.
Belarus is a responsible member of the world community. The world is growing
more interrelated which means that stability in one region strengthens
international stability as a whole. Belarus strives to contribute to the
system of world security. Such position indubitably corresponds to the
expectations and ideas of Belarusian people about the geopolitical place of
their country.
The international community will have to do a lot of work in the 21st
century. This work will be directed at further construction of a new just
world order in which all countries would be equally safe and would have an
opportunity of sustainable development. Belarus deems enhancing role of the
United Nations to be major task in international cooperation. Strengthening
its authority in international affairs is especially critical in the
settlement of remaining crisis situations in different regions of our
planet.
Special attention is paid to coordinated efforts of world community directed
at the counteraction to modern threats and challenges such as international
terrorism, organized crime and illegal drug and weapon circulation. Belarus
persistently aims at increasing the number of its friends and partners and
strengthening of its positive image in the world. Following the well-defined
foreign policy guiding lines Belarus directs its efforts towards
constructive cooperation, mutual respect for the political choice, economic
interests and priorities in the sphere of security of its close and distant
partners.
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