David Miliband

Belarus – Football and Politics

Tonight England's football team plays its second match in a week against Eastern European opposition. Both teams represent large countries sandwiched between Russia to the east and European Union member states to the west. But Belarus and Ukraine have taken very different paths since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Whereas – albeit with some wobbles – Ukraine has chosen to commit to a path of democracy and economic and social reform; Belarus has not yet signed up to what we would recognise as European values.

More progress on political reforms and economic liberalisation is needed. But there are some positive signs: last year, the Belarusian authorities released the last three remaining political prisoners, an important signal that Belarus wanted to renew its relationship with the EU.  The EU is keen to help Belarus make economic and political changes: this spring, Belarus joined the EU’s Eastern Partnership, which gives it the opportunity to take part in projects on energy security, border security and social and economic development, and to improve its relationships with its neighbours.

Belarus is a country that has suffered a lot in the past – most graphically after Chernobyl – and whose people deserve the hope of a more prosperous, democratic future. The EU is a key partner in promoting reform – offering Belarus not an alternative to ties with other neighbours but a wider support network.

Posted at 16:59 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]