The EU's relations with Belarus are guided by the Council Conclusions of 15 February 2016. The EU is open to the further development of EU-Belarus relations, and to taking further steps to enhance political relations and sectoral cooperation in the appropriate context.Tangible steps taken by Belarus to respect universal freedoms, the rule of law, and human rights, remain fundamental criteria for shaping the EU's future policy towards Belarus.

The release of the remaining political prisoners from Belarusian jails on 22 August 2015 was a positive turning-point and led the EU to the decision to  lift most of the restrictive measures in February 2016, also activating a key package of economic and other cooperation-related measures. The package included cooperation with international financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), enhanced preparations for World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession, and the removal of textile quotas for exports.

The remaining restrictive measures (an embargo on arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression; an asset freeze; and a travel ban against four people listed in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in 1999 and in 2000) are currently in place until 28 February 2021. All decisions regarding EU restrictive measures require unanimity among the 27 EU Member States.

The European Union takes the situation regarding human rights and democracy in Belarus very seriously, especially when it comes to the freedom of assembly and association, fundamental labour standards, and freedom of speech and the media. Belarus is the only country in Europe where the death penalty is still in use. The European Union has an unequivocal stance regarding the death penalty, which violates the right to life and is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The remaining death sentences should be commuted and a moratorium introduced as a first step towards its abolition. The EU stands ready to support implementation of Belarus’ 'National Action Plan on Human Rights for 2016-2019', underpinning the process of domestic reforms and the legislative amendments, and the preparation of a new plan following the 3^rd Universal Periodic Review in 2020

The EU repeatedly raises human rights issues, including the death penalty, with the Belarusian authorities at all levels. The EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue resumed in July 2015 and takes place annually with the most recent dialogue held in June 2019. Civil society representatives participate in these meetings.

Belarus has been participating actively in the multilateral formats of the Eastern Partnership. In 2019 Belarus hosted a number of technical level meetings on spectrum coordination, benchmarking of telecom markets, development of broadband strategies as well as a panel on migration and integrated border management. In 2018, the 10^th round of informal ministerial dialogues took place in Minsk. Negotiations on the EU-Belarus Partnership Priorities (PPs) started in 2016 and are close to completion. This document, once concluded, will be an important and unprecedented building-block in EU's relations with Belarus and will set the strategic framework and enhance cooperation in all areas, including human rights, nuclear safety, good governance and rule of law.

The EU-Belarus Coordination Group was established in 2016 to provide a forum for policy dialogue at the level of senior officials. The Coordination Group steers cooperation between the EU and Belarus and oversees the further development of relations. The latest Coordination Group meeting took place on 17-18 December 2019. During each meeting, in keeping with the European Union's policy of cooperation and involvement of civil society, the EU encourages Belarusian authorities to consult widely with all stakeholders.

The EU is committed to strengthening the engagement with the Belarusian people and civil society and in the last years support to Belarus in education, mobility, youth and the facilitation of people-to-people contacts has been growing.

The EU-Belarus Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements were signed  on 8 January 2020, paving the way for improved mobility of citizens, contributing to closer links between the EU and its Eastern Partnership neighbours. Both agreements will come into force on 1 July 2020.

The visa facilitation agreement, once it enters into force, will make it easier for Belarusian citizens to acquire visas to come to the European Union. For all citizens of Belarus, regardless of their travel purpose or type of passport, the visa fee will be reduced to €35, the service fee will be lowered to €30 and the deadline for consulates to take a decision on a visa application will be shortened to no more than 10 days. In addition, for some categories of travellers, such as businesspeople, journalists, representatives of civil society organisations, members of official delegations and several others, the visa fee will be altogether waived, there will be less documents requested as evidence for purpose of travel, and they will be eligible for multiple-entry visas for a longer duration (up to 5 years). Holders of new biometric diplomatic passports will be exempt from the visa obligation altogether.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the temporary restrictions in place for non-essential travels to the EU Member States should be taken into account when planning a journey to the Schengen area.

The readmission agreement will establish, on the basis of reciprocity, procedures for the safe and orderly return of persons who reside irregularly in the EU or Belarus, in full respect of their rights under international law. Belarus has unilaterally introduced measures to facilitate short-term visa-free travel for EU citizens arriving in Minsk.

A Mobility Partnership between the EU, Belarus and seven participating EU Member States (Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Finland and Latvia) was signed on 13 October 2016. The Mobility Partnership provides a framework for dialogue in various areas of migration and is considered by partner countries as a complementary tool for cooperation and funding in the framework of bilateral and regional relations. Mobility Partnership Facility (MPF), under AMIF (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund) and ISF (Internal Security Fund), has supported several actions in Belarus including the elaboration of a Migration Policy for Belarus and activities related to border management and management of irregular migration capacity building for improved cooperation with neighbouring EU Member States.

Belarus has a working arrangement with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) for operational cooperation and participates in different initiatives on Integrated Border Management, capacity building or training and in the information exchange through the Eastern Partnership Risk analysis network.

The EU support combines different tools, such as Erasmus+ (Tempus), research and cooperation programme (currently Horizon 2020), EU4youth, Vocational Education and Training Programme, European School for Eastern Partnership  in Georgia, Scholarship Scheme for young Belarusians. Since 2014 a dedicated mobility programme "MOST" was launched to promote mobility of Belarusian professionals, who wish to establish contacts in the EU countries.

EU's support to civil society remains strong, as it is a cornerstone of a well-functioning and prosperous society. On 11 September 2018 EU and 17 Minsk based EU Member states adopted "EU Roadmap for engagement with civil society" for the period of 2018-2020. The document has been warmly welcomed by the civil society organisations, notably because it allows them to plan their activities further, according to the priorities declared for the coming years.

Sectoral dialogues on economic and financial issues as well as environment and climate action take place on an annual basis. The EU is stepping up the implementation of a number of measures that will enhance EU-Belarus relations in several fields related to the economy, trade, and energy. The Strengthening Private Initiative Growth in Belarus (SPRING) Programme backs private local economic initiatives in order to develop the private sector, increase job creation, and promote economic growth in Belarus. EU support also includes a large-scale business consultancy programme implemented by the EBRD and a project supporting the development of employment-generating strategies and eco-systems to support SMEs and entrepreneurship at the local level, implemented by the UNDP.

Other EU initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors East – Phase II and Mayors for Economic Growth projects offer grant support to local authorities most active in adopting pilot measures in energy efficiency and job creation, reinforcing the roles of local authorities in economic development.

On 19 June 2017, Belarus joined the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P). This Trust Fund, managed by the EBRD, supports loans for municipal sector projects across the Eastern Partnership countries on energy efficiency and the environment.

Belarus is one of the strongest-performing Eastern Partnership countries in the Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation. In the 2018-2020 Work Programme for Horizon 2020, almost €200 million have been allocated to a series of calls focusing on energy and resource efficiency in the process industry ("SPIRE") with a particular geographical focus on the Eastern Partnership countries.

The EU has been supporting the Belarusian nuclear regulatory authority with technical assistance since 2011 under the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) with more than €8 million allocated so far. This cooperation is important for the nuclear power plant under construction in Ostrovets (Astraviec) in Belarus

The respect of the highest nuclear safety standards is a key priority for the EU, especially since new facilities are being constructed so close to EU borders, and the EU expects Belarus to cooperate constructively with the relevant international authorities.