Minsk demonstrates commitment to dialogue with Brussels, but without major concessions

Last week, in the course of his working visit to Brussels, Foreign Minister Makey discussed issues of cooperation between Belarus and the EU and NATO. Makey met with foreign ministers of the EU member states and held talks with EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Negotiations on EU Enlargement Johannes Hahn, NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow. Recently, contacts between Minsk and Western capitals at the highest level have become quite frequent. The Belarusian authorities are unlikely to expect a major breakthrough in Belarus-EU relations, due to the limited opportunities for mutual concessions. The EU is unlikely to abandon its value-based approach in relations with Minsk and completely forget about the requirement for democratic reforms. In turn, the Belarusian authorities would not agree for systemic democratic changes and further easing-off of the domestic political climate. However, the process of normalization of diplomatic relations between Minsk and Brussels will continue, perhaps with some minor concessions from both sides, eg, facilitation of the visa regime.