Society | Belarus - Expat Reporter

Europe’s Last Soviet Economy Approaches Its ‘Hour of Reckoning’

Belarus kept old factories, jobs, and social services alive after communism. Now that model is under threat from Russia, Bloomberg Businessweek writes in its recent article about Belarus

USA Charge d'Affaires in Belarus Jennifer Moore

Head of the U.S. Embassy Jennifer Moore on U.S. visas, Kremlin influence and elections in Belarus

Ron Mitchell

Since Karen Stewart left that post in March 2008, the U.S. diplomatic mission to Belarus has been head by a Chargé d’Affaires. For a little over a year, Jenifer Moore has been working in this position, representing the U.S. government and its interests here. Now she speaks about the expected arrival of a new ambassador, the high cost of American visas, what she expects from Belarusian parliamentary elections, and what she does in addition to her work.

US, Belarus plan to restore ambassadors after 11-year freeze

Susan Holmes

The rapprochement comes as Belarus seeks to ease its isolation in the West and balance its close ties with Russia. The US and Belarus withdrew their ambassadors in 2008.

Some foreign embassies in Belarus pay only 1 USD for land. Others are not that lucky

Ron Mitchell

The Chinese and UAE embassies have allocated land for a dollar. What about Russia, the United States, Ukraine and others? As it turned out, the approaches in many cases are different.

Swiss representation in Belarus to be upgraded to full embassy

Ron Mitchell

At its meeting on 15 May 2019, the Federal Council decided to upgrade the Swiss representation in Minsk to a full embassy. The decision was based on the steadily growing relations between Switzerland and Belarus.

Minsk Signals its Red Line on Russian Ambassador’s Behavior

Ron Mitchell

Recurrent tensions have long been inherent in Belarusian-Russian relations. Recently, developments took a somewhat unusual turn when the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) exchanged tough words with the Russian ambassador to Belarus, Mikhail Babich.

Belarus-EU Relations: Uneven Rapprochement

Ron Mitchell

The first three months of 2019 already saw a series of positive developments in the normalization of relations between Belarus and the European Union. Yet, the process remains not only slow, but also contradictory. This is one of the conclusions that came out of a March 5 government meeting on foreign policy, held by Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Euronews Metropolitan: TV program about Minsk, Belarus

A tour of Minsk as it gears up for European games

Ron Mitchell

In the latest episode of Euronews’ Metropolitans, Euronews reporter Damon Embling visits Minsk – the capital of Belarus – as it gears up to host this summer’s European Games. Thousands are expected to visit the city. But what awaits them?

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Italian Republic, Aleksandr Guryanov, met with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Vincenzo Amendola.

Belarus’ Ambassador to Italy Alexander Gurianov: Belarus, Italy mulling over new projects

Ron Mitchell

Belarus’ Ambassador to Italy Alexander Gurianov discussed market prospects for Belarusian steel mill BMZ, Belarus’ proposals for the Italian car making industry, the interest of Italian haute couture in Belarusian linen, economy and the human dimension of the bilateral relations.

A Diplomatic Breakthrough for Washington in Belarus

Ron Mitchell

Belarus lifts a cap on the number of U.S. diplomats allowed in the country as Minsk looks west and spars with Moscow. But the US ambassador will not join the embassy staff in Minsk sooner than the end of 2019, most likely, in 2020.