Belarus – Latvia: achievements and difficul­ties in bilateral cooperation (1992–2017)

  • Victor G. Shadurski Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Abstract

The present article is devoted to the analysis of the Belarusian-Latvian relations during the period after the two countries gained independence. The author came to the conclusion that the main obstacle to expanding bilateral cooperation is the opposite of geopolitical aspirations of Minsk and Riga and, as a consequence, a different attitude of the neighbouring countries to the problem of human rights and historical policy. It is unlikely that the existing disagreements can be eliminated in the coming years. However, such advantages as the geographic proximity of the two countries, the cultural and histori­cal proximity of the Belarusians and Latvians are a favourable factor for establishing effective interaction in the economic sphere, contacts at the level of regions and cities. A great capacity for cooperation exists in the Belarusian-Latvian border area. The article contains an attempt to define “points of growth” in bilateral relations, as well as to identify problems that can be eliminated without serious financial costs.

Author Biography

Victor G. Shadurski, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

doctor of science (history), full pro­fessor; dean of the faculty of international relations

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Published
2018-10-15
Keywords: Belarusian-Latvian relations, Belarusian and Latvian foreign policy, diaspora, Euroregions, twin cities, small border movement
How to Cite
Shadurski, V. G. (2018). Belarus – Latvia: achievements and difficul­ties in bilateral cooperation (1992–2017). Journal of the Belarusian State University. International Relations, 2, 3-12. Retrieved from https://journals.bsu.by/index.php/internationalRelations/article/view/1310
Issue
No 2 (2017): Journal of the Belarusian State University. International Relations
Section
History of International Relations and Foreign Policy

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