Most of us won’t remember when the economic crisis was first announced. They say that everything began with the mortgage crunch in the USA. However, it’s rather difficult to believe that this is the major reason behind the global financial pyramid. In fact, does it matter where and why the crisis began. It spread across the globe like a chain reaction, falling on some countries like a tsunami, while forcing others to build dams or other protective structures. How did Belarus behave in this situation?We began by diversifying and expanding relations, bringing remote Vietnam closer. Thousands of kilometres may separate Belarus from this country in South-Eastern Asia, but the ten hour flight between us is considered modest in today’s world. Nguyen Minh Triet, the Vietnamese President recently landed at Minsk National Airport, heading a delegation of over 100 Vietnamese businessmen. Our article entitled Middle East Close than We Realise is dedicated to this visit. As a dynamically developing country in Indo-Chinese region, Vietnam is a promising partner for Belarus, as proven during the meeting in Minsk.
Today’s world sees no obstacle in geographical distance while the economic crisis could bring positive results, inspiring us to seek closer liaisons with other states. We may find additional resources to the mutual benefit of partners, which may have been considered inefficient previously. The Minsk visit by the Vietnamese was followed by Mr. Lukashenko’s trip to the South-East. Our country also sees opportunities for realisation of national interests in Azerbaijan, with our two presidents confirming this prospect in Baku, as explored in New Directions.
Belarus has active diplomatic relations with many countries around the world but those with Venezuela and Ukraine, Vietnam and Brazil, Poland and Iran and Italy and Lithuania are among the most dynamic. Contacts are intensifying at all levels, growing more diverse geographically and politically. Our visits aren’t restricted to courtesy but explore real opportunities to expand trade and investment — in the West and East, in the Asian-Pacific region and in Latin America. Read Good Friends — Reliable Partners to find out more.
Our multi-vector policy is yielding results as never before, especially in Europe. The sharp drop in the value of the euro warns us that we should be ready for anything. Until recently, the euro demonstrated envious stability in its exchange rate, ensuring the economic welfare of many European states. However, all has changed, with the euro plummeting downwards. Europe has shown that it isn’t as united as it might think. Constructive ideas remain regarding Belarus, with the EU implementing the Eastern Partnership programme, among others, with neighbouring states. However, this programme of benevolent intentions is experiencing obstacles. How far has it advanced over the last year? The Eastern Partnership was discussed by foreign ministers at a recent informal summit in Polish Sopot, as detailed in How Does the New Formula Work?
Of course, our magazine isn’t restricted solely to political topics. We look at the life of small towns in this issue, describing youngsters’ interests and how these are taken into account by the country’s leadership. This edition also looks at our Union theme, and those keen on Belarusian culture and traditions will find much to interest them.
We hope that our magazine inspires you to look at Belarus from a new angle. We’re naturally modest but we’re confident that we have a great deal to offer and are ready to consider suggestions on how we might improve our magazine. Please do get in touch with your ideas. We’ll be glad to receive feedback.
BY Viktor Kharkov,magazine editor
Беларусь. Belarus
