ENPI implementation: The case of Belarus

Belarus is a ‘subject’ but not a recognised partner within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). EU relations with Belarus are covered by the 1989 Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which does not include any provisions for regulatory approximation to the EU’s acquis communautaire. In the absence of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the EU has not concluded the ENP Action Plan with Belarus. The country is receiving a limited share of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) package from 2007 to 2013 and qualifies for funding under the new European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the Stability Instrument and the Non- State Actors and Local Authorities Development programme. Prior to 2007, the two principal assistance programmes designed to support civil society, human rights and democracy in Belarus (TACIS, EIDHR) have had very limited effects due to their inflexible funding mechanisms. The ENPI continues to require the consent of the Belarusian government and, in effect, operates under even stricter auditing procedures than TACIS. From 2007 to 2013, the ENPI will almost exclusively fund social and economic development objectives in Belarus (including Justice, Freedom and Security, migration and energy sectors), and will only finance democratic development in the sense of teacher, student and business-partner exchanges