Renewable energy in Belarus The Republic of Belarus belongs to the group of countries without their own considerable energy and fuel resources (EFR). The EFR include: crude oil, natural gas, peat, water resources and biomass. Belarus’ own power resources satisfy 15-17% of its EFR requirement. There are practically no other sources of energy in Belarus other than those of renewable character. Therefore, the share of renewable energy amounts to 80% of the country’s own EFR.
Nukes for Belarus? About the plans of building a nuclear power station in Belarus, about hopes of the authorities and position of the NGO's writes Tatiana Novikava
Belarusian shade of Green – little politics, much ecology In Belarus, ecology surfaced as a subject of the public debate after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. But the popularity of the Greens is not only the aftermath of Chernobyl.
Belarus - a chance for democracy? The European public opinion is informed about the situation in Belarus mainly in the context of spectacular or highly important political events. There is definitely a lack of up-to-date information and current analysis on subjects that do not appear on the first pages and – in case of Belarus- rarely become the subject of analytical expertise. However, these subjects are crucial for the evaluation and monitoring of the process of democratic transformation.
Ukraine five years after the revolution – a success or a failure? The Orange Revolution is often dubbed “Ukraine’s European revival”. To defend democratic principles, the hero of the Revolution, Viktor Yushchenko, mobilised millions of Ukrainian men and women to take to the streets. The flare-up in Maidan heralded new hope that Ukraine will yet become a free and democratic state. Five years on, Ukraine is disappointing.
European Union and its Eastern Neighbours The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and of the Eastern Partnership as the new framework for activities in the difficult field of shaping relations between the EU and its Eastern members are an opportunity, but not a guarantee, for the consolidation of the EU’s Eastern policy and for speeding up processes of democratization, especially in Partnership countries. However, relations between Russia and the EU still remain to be clearly regulated.
1989 and its heritage - meeting with Garri Kasparow The effects of the global economic crisis are particularly visible in Eastern Europe and Russia is no exception. Dozens of Russian cities saw their first grassroots demonstrations in years during autumn. The Internet and text messages were deployed to bring people out onto the streets to protest against an increase in vehicle duty. Demands that Putin’s government resign could be seen alongside economic slogans in the ensuing demonstrations. Whether the divided Russian opposition, including Kasparov’s “Solidarity” movement, can seize this opportunity, and if so, to what extent, remains to be seen.
Polish-German policy towards eastern neighbours Since the political turn of 2007 in Warsaw, Poland and Germany have been constantly tightening bonds on international issues, Warsaw’s aspiration to join the Eurozone or common support for the Eastern Partnership. Poland’s experience and local expertise was to complement Berlin’s political and economic strategies. The success of such a coordinated policy can be seen in better relations with Russia, “the Kaliningrad Triangle” and the introduction of visa-free travel to Kaliningrad, which Poland had been advocating for for a long time.
Belarus – lost chance for change? Despite the political system in Belarus being far from democratic, consecutive elections awaken hope of democratic standards being introduced and of the Belarusian opposition becoming stronger. As a starting point, read the analyses of V.Silitsky and A.Wilson concerning the state of Belarusian internal and foreign policy, which have been commissioned by the Heinrich Böll Foundation.