This Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Belarus covers the period 2007-2013, and is accompanied by the National Indicative Programme (NIP) for the period 2007-2010. Assistance to Belarus during this period will be provided under the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), which is being established to promote the development of an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness between the European Union and the partner countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The NIP covers only support through the national ENPI envelope, and does not represent a programming document for the other instruments available for Belarus such as the thematic programme on democracy and human rights.

Belarus, while covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, does not participate fully in it. EUBelarus Relations are governed by successive Council Conclusions stating, for example, that contacts “will be established solely through the Presidency, SG/HR, the Commission and the Troika” and that “Community and Member States’ assistance programmes will support the needs of the population and democratisation, notably by humanitarian, regional, cross-border cooperation and by projects supporting directly or indirectly democratisation and democratic forces in Belarus”.