Baltic Rim Economies 3/2020
Published on the 29th of October 2020
Belarus: Yesterday and tomorrow
“Despite stealing the elections, Lukashenko not only lost them but also triggered the emergence of the new civic nation, which made clear it wants change. Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya became the symbol of the birth of this nation. She is not pretending she wants to be the President. She only takes upon herself the task to return to Belarusians what has been stolen from them – free and fair elections, and freedom to political prisoners.”
Andrius Kubilius,
Member of the European Parliament, former Prime Minister of Lithuania
The UK in Europe: Context, present and future
“It is also clear that what unites Europe is greater than what divides. European national institutions, societies and businesses operate from a common basis. The UK remains geographically part of Europe. Whatever the politics of UK/EU negotiations and the outcomes, the key challenges of the 21st century: health, economic and climate, and the increasing threats posed by autocratic powers can best be addressed in collaboration between nations.”
Tom Dodd,
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland
Security implications of the situation in Belarus
“A successful transfer or power in Belarus in the near future, and maintaining the security balance in Eastern Europe would be a significant step towards stability. In the long run, a stable and democratic Belarus would be a factor in enhancing European security. The problem is the short-term, as continued instability and the increased military presence and growing troops strength of different actors in the Baltic region are a threat to the foundations of the entire Western security architecture.”
Marko Palokangas,
Military Professor (Military Theory and Warfare),
Lieutenant Colonel,
National Defence University,
Finland
Protests in Belarus: Why now and what is different this time?
“A wide and rapid pre-election politicisation of Belarusians, followed by the largest political protests in the history of independent Belarus both in Minsk and the regions, came as a surprise for many experts and politicians. The public discontent did not come out of the blue, though: there are a number of long term reasons and short-term triggers that led to a revolution attempt.”
Olga Dryndova,
Editor “Belarus-Analysen”,
Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen,
Germany