Belarus

Political relations

For the first time in the history of independent Belarus, the French President visited Minsk on 11 and 12 February 2015 (within the framework of negotiations for the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, regarding the conflict in eastern Ukraine). Since 2014, and following a gradual warming of relations between the European Union and Belarus, political contact has been stepped up between France and Belarus. This is proof of positive momentum in our bilateral relations from the political, economic, cultural and parliamentary perspectives, as illustrated by the resumption of high-level political visits and meetings, including a visit by the Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs to Minsk in October 2018, within the framework of the third Mixed Economic Commission.

Economic relations

In 2018, the volume of trade between France and Belarus fell compared with 2017 (down 8.4% to €184.7 million). This drop in trade is due to a fall in exports (down 12% to €131 million) while imports have stagnated. France is Belarus’ 11th-largest supplier but its market share remains low (0.9% in 2017).