Belarus and CIS countries

The development of bilateral cooperation with the CIS member states is one of the priorities of the foreign policy and foreign economic relations of the Republic of Belarus. These priorities are based on a number of historical, economic, political and cultural factors.

Belarus is interested in building equal and mutually beneficial relations with the CIS countries. Trade and economic cooperation are the most important spheres. The turnover with the CIS countries (excluding Russia) made up US$ 6.135 in 2010.

Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Moldova are our major trade partners accounting for 92 per cent of Belarusian export to CIS region (excluding Russia).

In 2010, Ukraine was the second important partner of Belarus in terms of turnover between the countries. The Republic of Belarus is traditionally among the top five partners for Ukraine in terms of foreign trade.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on December 27, 1991. The Belarusian embassy in Ukraine has been functioning since October 1993. The two states have signed over 160 bilateral international treaties. The Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighborhood and Cooperation and the Free Trade Agreement are the most important documents regulating bilateral political and economic cooperation.

Cross-border cooperation between Belarus and Ukraine is also being developed. The meetings of Belarusian and Ukrainian border districts’ local governments are held annually.

The two countries have an outlook for more intense scientific and technical cooperation and further development of agriculture, transport, science, culture, education, sport and tourism.

Belarus and Kazakhstan have established an efficient bilateral dialogue. Bilateral high-level visits are a regular practice. Presidents and Prime Ministers of the two states meet regularly within the framework of CIS, EurAsEC and CSTO.

Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on September 16, 1992. The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Kazakhstan was founded in 1997. The Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus has been functioning in Almaty since July 2002. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Belarus was established in 1995. The legislative base of today’s bilateral cooperation includes over 60 international treaties and documents.

Traditionally, Kazakhstan has become the third largest partner of Belarus in terms of foreign trade with CIS countries, after Russia and Ukraine – our neighboring countries and major trade partners. In 2010, the countries recorded the largest turnover over the decade which doubled on 2009 to reach $867.2m.

Along with trade and economic relations, the countries have recently improved their cooperation in investment and started new joint ventures. The manufacture of Belarusian tractors, harvesters and elevators has been set up in Kazakhstan. A joint venture on repair and manufacturing of parts for mining dump trucks “BelAZ” has been established. A number of other industrial projects are being currently implemented.

The cooperation between Belarus and Azerbaijan in all spheres of mutual concern has become more intensive recently. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on June 11, 1993. Four official highest level visits have taken place since 2006. The total turnover has become 3.9 times more intensive.

A number of joint projects in the sphere of industrial cooperation have been implemented since 2007: tractor, truck, lifting crane and elevator assembly lines have been set up in Azerbaijan.

The countries have great potential for further cooperation in agriculture, industry, energy, architecture and construction, education, science and culture.

Bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Turkmenistan has significantly improved during the recent years. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on January 21, 1993. The Embassy of Turkmenistan was established in Minsk in October 1995. The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus was established in Ashgabat in 2002.

30 international agreements constitute the legal foundation of the bilateral cooperation.

In 2010, the turnover was $90.7m to grow 21.1 per cent on 2009. The establishment of an Intergovernmental Belarusian-Turkmen Commission for Economic Cooperation in 2008 became a notable contribution to the intensification of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Constructing an ore-dressing and processing enterprise for potash fertilizers production (1.4 mln tons/year production capacity) at Garlyk potash deposit became the most important joint project.

Educational cooperation is becoming more intensive as well. There are currently over 4.5 thousand Turkmen students studying in Belarusian universities.

Political and economic cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Moldova is developing continuously. Diplomatic relations between the two states were established on November 19, 1992. 60 treaties and agreements have been signed by the states since. The first project in the sphere of industrial cooperation was implemented in 2009. Minsk Tractor Works and “Agrofermotech” company organized the assembly of tractors for gardens and vineyards on the basis of the machine-sets produced at the Belarusian Smorgon Aggregate Plant in Moldova.

The relations between Belarus and Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are gradually strengthening. A comprehensive legislative basis of cooperation with these countries has been created. Trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation is developing. Close contacts are maintained on inter-agency and inter-regional levels. Intergovernmental commissions for trade and economic cooperation with the countries in the region have been set up. Commissions meet regularly.

Belarus and Armenia tend to have an increasingly closer cooperation. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Armenia were established on June 11, 1993. Around 60 agreements regulating different cooperation spheres have been signed by the countries. A substantial turnover between the two countries has been achieved recently.

Armenia has formed a commodity distribution network of Belarusian companies and uses it to increase the supply of trucks, municipal service and road-building vehicles. 3 enterprises in Armenia have drawn Belarusian investment. AR-BE ARMENIAN-BELARUSIAN TRADING HOUSE for selling around 8 500 items manufactured in Belarus was opened in Yerevan in September 2010.

Belarusian-Armenian commission for trade and economic cooperation created in 2000 coordinates bilateral trade. The Commission has held 8 meetings.

We continue to develop the cooperation with Tajikistan systematically.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Tajikistan were established on September 5, 1996.

New impetus will be given by the set-up of a Belarusian Embassy in Dushanbe (April 2011).

Belarus increases its supplies of quarry and road-building equipment, heavy dump trucks and tractors to Tajikistan.

The 7^th meeting of Belarus-Tajikistan commission for trade and economic cooperation was held on October 21-22, 2010. The following primary cooperation goals were defined:

- cooperation in agriculture, mechanical engineering, petrochemical, food and light industry;

- export of Belarusian quarry and road-building equipment;

- set-up of assembly lines to produce industrial goods;

- lease-based export of agricultural equipment;

- import of cotton fiber, fruit, vegetable and other competitive goods from Tajikistan;

- more regional cooperation and collaboration between the chambers of commerce and industry.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uzbekistan were established on January 21, 1993.

Uzbekistan has been our fifth important export partner in the CIS region for the past few years. The turnover with the Republic of Uzbekistan is 4.4 times greater than it was in 2000. Belarus exports 9 times more to the country than it did 11 years ago.

An intergovernmental commission was started for economic co-operation between Belarus and Uzbekistan which has held two joint meetings until now.

“Bobruiskagromash” organized the first agriculture equipment assembly line at the premises of Urgenchkormmash in Urgench, Uzbekistan in 2009. The production of PT-165 balers has been organized.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic were established on January 21, 1993.

After the Bishkek events (May 2010), the diplomatic mission of Belarus resumed its work

Bilateral economic co-operation continued to gather momentum.

The turnover with the Kyrgyz Republic is 14 times greater than it was in 2004. Belarus exports 21 times more to the country than it did 7 years ago.

An Intergovernmental Belarusian-Kyrgyz Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation was created. The Commission has held 4 joint meetings as of today. More impetus to the co-operation will be given by the 5^th session of the Commission.

The development of direct interregional links is a prospective area of cooperation.

Supplies of Belarusian sugar, fridges, washing machines and other commodities are still underway.

Please, find detailed information on cooperation between Belarus and CIS countries at the web pages of Belarusian diplomatic missions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

print version