USAID Europe and Eurasia: Belarus

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FY 2009 Congressional Budget Justification
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belarus.usaid.gov
Country Program Officer: Chuck Howell

USAID/Minsk
Department of State
Washington, DC 20521-7010
Tel: 380-44-537-4600
Fax: 375-17-211-3032

Overview

The U.S. has a national interest in a free and peaceful Europe, which must include a stable, democratic, and market-oriented Belarus. Now that the European Union (EU) shares a border with Belarus, it has launched the Eastern Partnership initiative to bring Belarus, together with other Newly Independent States, in closer cooperation with Europe. Belarus’ current authorities have stifled independent media and political opposition, and have carried out questionable economic policies. Some positive but still reversible steps were taken by authorities in the direction of U.S. and EU human rights concerns and creating forums for dialogue with civil society and democratic forces. Structural reforms and privatization remain on the agenda, though some measures were recently undertaken to liberalize the economy and continue privatization. The current global economic crisis may provide new incentives for structural reforms. In its internal policies, Belarus continues to be a difficult environment for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), opposition parties, and free media. The country retains the potential to contribute to and benefit from regional economic development, but needs to implement democratic and market reforms. USAID focuses on empowering Belarusians so that they may participate in the reform and transition process.

Belarus in Action

Joint UNDP-USAID Family Health Project in Belarus Approved

The UNDP/CORE Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) held a formal review of recently submitted projects on November 15 and recommended approval of USAID’s Family Health Project... Read More ...