№ 20 (1) 2013 Abstracts and Keywords Foreign Policy Andrej Valodźkin. Belarus-Azerbaijan Relations in 1992-2012 Th e article discusses the main issues of relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan during the last twenty years. It analyses the dynamics of bilateral relations, the main stages of formation of legal basement of relations, economic relations, other forms of political interaction (e.g. international support). The author concludes that Azerbaijan, which had almost no relationship with Belarus until the middle of 2010s, becomes one of its major political and economic partners. Besides, Belarus-Azerbaijan relations develop mostly outside the framework of CIS and other regional unions where Russia dominates. The bilateral format remains essential for the countries' relations, and Azerbaijan complements them by a consistent support of official Minsk in European structures like OSCE, PACE and Eastern Partnership.
Keywords: Azerbaijan, Foreign Policy of Belarus, Regional Cooperation, Official Visits, Economic Cooperation of Belarus.
Łukasz Wojcieszak. Russia's Attitude towards Polish Perspectives of Shale Gas Production The article analyses political aspects of perspectives of shale gas production in Poland. A general situation with shale gas in Poland is studied, including the dimensions of its reserves, technological issues of production and problems of investment and ecology. The text gives a detailed analysis of Russian reaction on the perspectives of Poland to become an energyindependent country based on positions of officials, analysts, journalists, and directors of oil and gas companies. The article concludes that Russian political elite regard even a partial independence of Poland from Russian gas supply as a serious problem. Nevertheless, energy independence of Poland in the near perspective seems unlikely, and it can be reached by import of liquefied gas from the US rather than by production of local shale gas.
Keywords: Shale Gas, Energy Security, Foreign Policy of Russia, Poland.
Aliaksandr Piahanaŭ. Hungarian Foreign Policy towards Czechoslovakia in 1918-1920 Th is article deals with the “Czechoslovak” issue of the Hungarian foreign policy in 19181920 and particularly considers Hungarian attempts to retain control over Slovakia and Bilateral Relations №2 ( )/2013 0 1 10 № 20 (1) 2013 Subcarpathian Rus (so called Upper Hungary/Felvidék). Despite the Czechoslovak occupation of these territories in December 1918 – June 1919, Budapest hoped to get them back and guaranteed an autonomy. At the same time Hungary sought support of Italy, Soviet Russia, Poland, Romania and France. Finally, when these attempts failed and Hungary signed the Trianon Peace Treaty (4 June 1920), Budapest tried to improve its relations with Prague. The article is based on Hungarian archive sources and newest historical works from Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Keywords: Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, Subcarpathian Rus, Upper Hungary, 1918-1920, Foreign Policy, Trianon.
International Cooperation Andrej Jelisejeŭ. Prospects of Consideration of the Problem of Astraviec Nuclear Power Plant Building under the Aarhus and Espoo Conventions Th e article studies procedures within the bodies implementing the Aarhus and Espoo Conventions, which are applied towards the Astraviec Nuclear Power Plant project.
It demonstrates how the political system of Belarus impacts the effectiveness of implementation of the Aarhus Convention. The article concludes that the bodies of Aarhus and Espoo Conventions do not have effective legal leverage on the Belarus government in the issue of Astraviec Nuclear Power Plant construction. The author predicts that the next meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention (2014) will state a partial, but incomplete progress of Belarus in the implementation of received recommendations, while the meeting of the Parties to the Espoo Convention (2014) will approve critical conclusions of the Committee on the Implementation of Espoo Convention. Having regard to the generally positive experience of technical cooperation of Belarus with these international bodies, a further, though incomplete implementation of the received recommendation by Belarus government can be expected.
Keywords: Astrviec Nuclear Power Plant, Belarus, Aarhus Convention, Espoo Convention.
Political Institutions Aliaksandr Lanieŭski. From Protest to Resistance: the Case of Belarusian Anarchists Th e article considers the main stages of the movement of anarchists in Belarus – its composition, organisation, basic ideas and political evolution, with special focus on the “Case of the Belarusian Anarchists” and the “Case of Babrujsk”. The author analyses the relationship between modern anarchist movement in Belarus and the government, political opposition and society. In addition, the article indicates the movement's radicalisation and increasing solidarity between political opposition and social activists.
Keywords: Anarchism, Civil Activity, History of Political Movements, Radical Movements, Belarus.
11 № 20 (1) 2013 Dzmitry Isajonak, Tacciana Čyžova. Evolution of Belarusian Model of Privatization from 1990 to 2011: Background, Concepts, Stakeholders, Results, Social Consequences Th e article deals with evolution of state property privatization model in Belarus in 19902013. It describes preconditions and major historical stages of privatization of state property and evolution of views of authorities on privatization over the last 20 years. History of Belarusian privatization is the story of finding a compromise between the trends of modern market economy and the idea of state regulation and social protection. It is concluded that Belarusian privatization did not become a locomotive of market reforms, formation of proprietary class and big national capital. Therefore, currently it can be considered as the periphery of market reforms in Belarus.
Keywords: Cooperatives, Voucher Privatization, "People's Capitalism", Privatization Program, Auctions, Nationalization.
Political History. Krajowcy (Regionalist) Parties at the Beginning of the 20th Century Krajowcy Party of Lithuania and Belarus (Main Programme) A translation from Polish to Belarusian of the programme of Krajowcy Party of Lithuania and Belarus (1907). The author of the document is Raman Skirmunt (1868-1939), an influential figure within the Kraj movement as well as Belarusian national movement. The party held a conservative position and advocated autonomy and integrity of the lands of former Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The creation and activity of the party took place mainly in 1905-1908.
Keywords: Kraj Movement, Political Parties, Political History, Lithuania and Belarus.
Programme of the Constitutional-Catholic Party of Lithuania and Belarus A translation from Polish to Belarusian of the programme of the Constitutional-Catholic Party of Lithuania and Belarus. The author of the document is Edward von Ropp (1851-1939) – one of the leaders of Kraj movement in Belarus and Lithuania at the beginning of the 20th century.
The party followed right-conservative traditions and supported autonomy and integrity of the lands of former Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The party was active during 1905-1907.
Keywords: Kraj Movement, Political Parties, Political History, Lithuania and Belarus.
Political History. Lithuanian Parties at the Beginning of the 20th Century Programme of the Lithuanian Democratic Party (Draft) A translation from Lithuanian to Belarusian of the 1902 draft programme of the Lithuanian Democratic Party. The party was called the Democratic Party of Lithuania since 1906 and 12 № 20 (1) 2013 became one of the most influential Lithuanian political organisations of the beginning of the 20th century. The party was active from 1902 till 1920.
Keywords: Lithuanian National Movement, Lithuanian Political Parties, History of Lithuania and Belarus, Beginning of the 20th Century, Russian Empire.
Programme of the Democratic Party of Lithuania A translation from Lithuanian to Belarusian of the draft programme of the Democratic Party of Lithuania. The party had the name Lithuanian Democratic Party until 1906 and was one of the most influential Lithuanian political organisations of the beginning of the 20th century. The party was active from 1902 till 1920.
Keywords: Lithuanian National Movement, Lithuanian Political Parties, History of Lithuania and Belarus, Beginning of the 20th Century, Russian Empire.
Manifesto of the National Party of Lithuanian Democrats A translation from Lithuanian to Belarusian of the 1905 Manifesto of the National Party of Lithuanian Democrats. The party had a rightists and nationally oriented programme.
Among its active member were Jonas Basanavičius (1851-1927), one of the fathers of Lithuanian national movement, and future authoritarian leader of the interwar Lithuania Antanas Smetona (the president of the Republic of Lithuania in 1919-1920 and 1926-1940).
Th e party was active from 1905 till 1913.
Keywords: Lithuanian National Movement, Lithuanian Political Parties, National Parties, History of Lithuania and Belarus, Russian Empire.
Lithuanian Union of Christian Democrats (Programme Draft) A translation from Lithuanian to Belarusian of the 1907 programme draft (in original – manifesto) of the Lithuanian Union of Christian Democrats. The Union (also called Christian-Democratic Union of Lithuania) was active in 1905-1907 and resumed its activity during World War I, being one of the largest parties of the firts years of Lithuania's independence.
Keywords: Lithuanian National Movement, Lithuanian Political Parties, Christian Democracy, History of Lithuania and Belarus, Russian Empire.