After the last presidential elections, the political and economic situation in Belarus changed. The economic crisis has led to both a shortage of foreign currency and of sugar and vegetable oil in shops. Repression against protesters on 19 December (including candidates to the presidency) created tensions in Belarusian society.

The current situation in Belarus and its possible development were the main topics of discussions during the EESPS session. Possible strategies to overcome the crisis between Belarus and Europe were discussed with experts coming from Belarus, EU countries and the Council of Europe: Dr. Alyaksandr Sasnow, expert of the Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS, Lithuania), Dr. Anna Dyner, expert of the Polish Institute of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Leonid Zaiko, Chairman of the “Strategy” Centre, Belarus, Mr. Wojciech Borodicz-Smoliński, expert of the Center for International Relations, Poland, Dr. Yury Drakakhrust, Expert, Radio Liberty, Czech Republic, Mr. Simon Greuter, Council of Europe. According to the results of the last opinion poll that was recently made by the IISEPS, pro-European orientation of Belarusian people has risen dramatically over the last three months. More than 50% of people are currently in favor of the accession of Belarus to the EU. This change of position was also a topic of discussion.

Prof. Marek Dąbrowski, President of the CASE Research Centre, Poland, Dr. Leonid Zaiko and Dr. Alyaksandr Sasnow, former Minister of Labour of Belarus discussed the Belarusian economic system, its effectiveness and resources, the current perspectives and possible strategies of transformation. The presentation entitled “Belarus and Council of Europe: Perspectives and Options for Co-operation” made by Dr. Hanna Machińska, Head of Council of Europe Liaison Office in Warsaw, aroused great interest of participants as Belarus remains the only European country that is not a member of the Council of Europe.

The workshop, which was devoted to the possible scenarios of the development of Belarusian situation, was held both by Mr. Alexander Dabravolski, Director of the EESPS and former MP, and Ms. Svetlana Zinkevich, Chairwoman of the Board of Belarusian Association of Consultants and Trainers, EESPS Alumnus. The development of the participants’ strategic thinking and better understanding of the driving forces in Belarusian situation were among the main aims of the workshop.