Belarus–NATO relations refers to relations between the Republic of Belarus and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Cooperation
Belarus joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1995.
1995
Belarus first began cooperating with NATO in signing Partnership for Peace documents in 1995.
1997
Belarus has participated in NATO's Individual Partnership Program since 1997 without joining NATO. Belarus has not joined NATO because it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization under the auspices of Russia, and the Security Treaties with NATO regulate the exchange of classified information affecting the interests of sovereign states.
1998
Since 1998, Belarus has had its own diplomatic mission in NATO.
2004
Belarus formally announced its accession to the NATO process on 19 January 2004, and in January 2006 Belarus and NATO approved the first package of partnership documents, containing 21 objectives (9 common objectives, 7 ground forces, 5 air forces) and an evaluation document.
2006
Tensions between NATO and Belarus peaked after the March 2006 presidential election in Belarus. Belarus began to move in the Russian direction of policy in order to build a unified union of the two states. Belarus's relations with EU and NATO member states have deteriorated. The European Union and the United States have banned members of the Belarusian government from entering their countries following an energy conflict with the Russian Federation in late 2006. Minsk has attempted to change foreign policy. But NATO contributed to Belarus' armaments elimination, which was successfully completed in December 2006: 700,000 weapons were destroyed, which was an important step for Belarus to fulfill its obligations under the Ottawa Convention.
2008–2009
NATO–Belarus relations were more cautious due to internationally recognized political prisoners, limiting working visits to the Prague Summit in May 2009 on the Eastern Partnership. A NATO senior official made his first high-level visit to Minsk in many years in December 2008. In 2009, a Belarusian Chief of Staff of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense took part in the NATO Security Forum. It was agreed to continue work between the relevant experts.
2010
Belarus became a NATO partner among 22. This also applies to the modernization, restructuring of the Armed Forces of Belarus under the program of individual partnership with NATO, the NATO program with Belarus. Identify needs for reform and additional training of forces and resources allocated by partners to participate in the program. Belarus is also a member of the Planning and Analysis (IPA), which highlights ways to improve interoperability and develop appropriate opportunities to enhance Belarus' national defense. NATO provided expertise and advice on how to achieve this. Belarus has made an important contribution to strengthening international, regional and national security and stability in Europe. For example, Belarusian officers and officials continued to participate in courses from NATO countries and their partners in theoretical subjects such as:
Arms control, Organization of air traffic, Civil planning, Medical service, International law in armed conflicts.
Regarding military cooperation, it is noted that relations are good, even if they were good during periods of political and diplomatic tension. A precondition for strengthening Belarus' cooperation with NATO is to achieve an appropriate level of trust that would allow the exchange of classified information through security agreements.
The 2010 NATO–Belarus Individual Partnership Program has already included around 100 practical actions for joint implementation in areas such as:
Arms control, Medical training, Language learning Civil planning (including during nuclear disasters).
