Белорусско-британские отншения

 

    МИНИСТЕРСТВО  ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛАРУСЬ

    Учреждение  образования «Белорусский государственный  экономический университет» 

Белорусско  – британские отношения 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                                                                                                          Секция:

Лингвостранведение 

                                                      Автор работы:

Прялкин Александр Иванович, 2 курс 
 

                                                      Научный руководитель:

Микардо Марина Вячеславовна, преподаватель  английского языка высшей категории 

Минск, 2009

      CONTENTS

Introduction 3 

Chapter I. Cooperation As an Integral Process

1.1 Goals Pursued by Belarus and Great Britain in Cooperation 5

1.2 Factors Facilitating and Hampering Mutual Cooperation 7 

Chapter II. Economic Activities

2.1 Priorities and Avenues of Foreign Economic Activities of Belarus 9

2.2 Economic Outline of Great Britain 12

2.3 Trade and Investment 16

2.4 Belarus Investment Forum in London 19 

Chapter III. Spheres of Cooperation

3.1 Political and Military Cooperation 23

3.2 Tourism As an Important Sector in the UK Economy 28

3.3 Belarus Among the Top Ten Travel Destinations 33

3.4 Education 37

3.5 Culture and Sport 39

3.6 Charitable and Humanitarian Cooperation 41

Conclusion 43

Literature 45 

                                      INTRODUCTION

     It is no secret that countries have always been involved in active exchange through political, economic and cultural ties. We can hardly remember any country that hasn’t undergone the stages of war, peace-making, trading, etc. All those actions are never done in isolation as almost every state is surrounded with some other ones and it’s absolutely natural that they have been collaborating for centuries.  

     The choice of the topic of our research work “Belarusian-British Cooperation” was determined by the survey results. We interviewed 80 persons of different age. The question was: “What western countries does the Republic of Belarus cooperate with?” Only 6% named Great Britain as our partner (supplement №1). We want to prove that the interests of these two countries include the development of full-fledged cooperation and they are interested in mutually beneficial interstate relations.

     The actuality of our research is based on the fact that each of us would like to live better and therefore it needless to say that nowadays international cooperation is of key importance in all aspects of living, including politics, economy, business, culture and private life. In the era of globalization we can’t rely on internal resources only. All the countries seek to borrow more from other countries. Recently the interest to the Republic of Belarus on the part of Great Britain has increased significantly on the back of economic reforms, stable growth of macroeconomic performances, measures taken to liberalize the investment climate, develop business and improve business environment.

     The aim of our work is to define cooperation as an integral process and analyse the main spheres of cooperation between Belarus and Great Britain.

     Our aim determined concrete tasks:

1. to define the main goals of cooperation between the countries;
2. to analyse the factors facilitating and hampering mutual cooperation;
3. to reveal priorities and avenues of economic activities;
4. to define the results of collaboration in policy, education and science, culture, tourism, charity.

     The following methods were used:

1. analysis of theoretical literature;
2. descriptive methods;
3. method of systematization and classification;
4. sociological public opinion poll.

     Our scientific work consists of three chapters. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHAPTER I

           COOPERATION AS AN INTEGRAL PROCESS

     1.1 GOALS PURSUED BY BELARUS AND GREAT BTITAIN IN COOPERATION

     Cooperation – working or acting together for a common purpose. [4,p.125] Belarus-British cooperation is an integral process including a variety of branches aimed at a common goal.

      

     The goals pursued by Belarus in cooperation with Great Britain are:

• development of democracy and civil society in Belarus,
• integration into Europe,
• economic development of Belarus (including: development of economic links, investment, technology, market outlets etc.),
• solution of a number of social and humanitarian problems (quality of life, environmental protection, aid to children, disabled persons and so on).

 

     The British Embassy promotes the United Kingdom’s interests and values in the Republic of Belarus. The goals pursued by Great Britain in cooperation with Belarus are:

• improvement of EU-Belarus relations,
• contribution to a secure neighbourhood,
• support of positive changes in Belarus that will help make this possible, especially in human rights and economic reforms,
• promotion mutually beneficial ties between our governments and people in areas such as trade and investment, culture, education, military liaison and combating serious crime,
• assistance to British citizens in need,
• legitimation of migration from Belarus to the UK, while combating human trafficking.

 

      1.2 FACTORS FACILITATING AND HAMPERING MUTUAL COOPERATION

     One of the factors facilitating cooperation with Great Britain is the geographical (geopolitical) position of Belarus. The positive factor is that the Belarusians feel they are Europeans. Another positive factor is that there is a well-formed civil society in Belarus, which facilitates establishment of cooperation with the UK. Certainly, it could help development of the country and improvement of relations with Europe.

     Among positive factors that help cooperation today, politicians mention

• presence of political will for cooperation,
• ability to take into account various opinions,
• responsibility of our partners,
• understanding of strategic and economical benefits from cooperation with Belarus,
• allocation of resources for development of this cooperation.

 

     Necessary changes which can positively influence development of cooperation are:

• increase in number and variety of programs for Belarus,
• broadening contacts in different spheres,
• enhancing visa policy,
• development of adequate approaches.

 

     The main negative factor that hampers implementation of efficient cooperation is misunderstanding of actual situation in Belarus, its cultural particularity and the stereotype in perception of Belarus. This is associated both with common cultural factors (difference of mentality and peculiarities of Belarus history) and certain technology aspects in arrangement of the very cooperation process. The second aspect is related to qualification and motivation of officials and experts who work directly upon implementation of joint projects. But there are people interested and ready to invent some know-how’s and exercise creative approach.

     To overcome the existing negative trends several fields of activity can be pointed out:

• revision and adjustment of positions of European institutions interested in cooperation with Belarus,
• development of adequate approaches, integral and comprehensive strategy of relations both with state and non governmental institutions of Belarus,
• interaction of institutions and funds with  organizations participating in cooperation.

 

     The  major steps in this field  should be:

• review procedures of selection and registration of projects, involving Belarusian experts, involving representatives of Non Governmental Organizations and other concerned parties into program planning,
• increase qualifications of officials responsible for implementation of specific directions of cooperation.

 

     Great Britain is supposed to establish mutually beneficial relations with the official powers of Belarus, abandon attempts to influence political processes and focus on cooperation.

CHAPTER II

     ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

     2.1 PRIORITIES AND AVENUES OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF BELARUS

     The foreign policy of the Republic of Belarus is geared towards cultivating favourable external conditions for the development of the country and enhancement of the wellbeing of its citizens.

     Promotion of Belarusian interests on the international arena largely hinges on the state of political relationships with foreign countries. This is why Belarus has chosen a multi-directional foreign policy which is best for meeting the needs of the national development.

     Today the  Republic of Belarus maintains diplomatic relations with 154 states. Among them are such western countries as Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, the USA, the UK, France (supplement №2).

     Foreign states are represented in Belarus by 35 embassies, one embassy branch, one trade mission and 19 consular institutions; international organizations are represented by 12 missions. In Belarus there are 88 foreign diplomatic missions with concurrent accreditation to this country.

     Currently Belarus is party to 2.787 international treaties. Of them 1.444 are bilateral treaties and 1.343 multilateral ones. Russia is Belarus’ main partner in the region and in the world. The member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are another foreign policy priority of the Republic of Belarus.

     Being an inseparable part of the European continent, the Republic of Belarus has been consistently materializing the idea of good-neighbourliness. The dialogue with the European Union is not smooth now. For several years now the   European Union has been pursuing a tough line on Belarus. This does not hamper the development of bilateral relations, but also contradicts the long-term interests in consolidating the unity on the European continent. 

     Essential goals of our country are:

• encourage a more democratic, fare and secure world order based on international law,
• promote a balanced integration of Belarus to the world economy and global process,
• encourage, through pro-active foreign policy, the country’s welfare and development,
• maintain friendly relations with neighbouring countries,
• protect the rights and freedoms of Belarusians nationals abroad,
• attract intellectual and scientific resources to support national education and science,
• cooperate in global activities in human rights.

 

     Despite difficulties in political mutual relations with the European Union, the Republic of Belarus is striving to establish with it a very close interaction. A high level of cooperation with the European countries has been reached in the issues of transit, energy supplies, trade, ecology, in mitigating transborder threats and strengthening regional security. Positive trends have taken shape in our relations with Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland. Pragmatic cooperation has been growing with Germany, Italy, the UK in the fields of economy, science, culture, in humanitarian issues. Taken together, all these efforts provide additional motives for the development of trustworthy and constructive relations as is customary between good neighbours.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     2.2 ECONOMIC OUTLINE OF THE UK

     The UK is a highly developed country. It lives by manufacture and trade. For every person employed in agriculture eleven people are employed in mining, manufacturing and building. The UK is one of the world’s largest exporters of manufactured goods per head of population.

     Apart from coal and iron ore Britain has very few natural resources and mostly depends on imports. Its agriculture provides only half of the food it needs. The other half and most of the raw materials for its industries such as oil and various metals (copper, zinc, uranium ore and others) have to be imported. Britain also has to import timber, cotton, fruit and farm products.

     Britain used to be richly forested, but most of the forests were cut down to make more room for  cultivation. The greater part of land is used for cattle and sheep breeding, and pig raising. Among the crops grown on the farms are wheat, barley and oats.

     In the past century Britain secured a leading position in the world as manufacturer, merchant and banker. After World War I the world demand for products of Britain’s traditional industries – textiles, coal and machinery – fell off, and Britain started expanding trade in new engineering products and electrical goods.

     The crisis of 1929-1933 brought about mass unemployment and Britain’s share in the world industrial output decreased: World War II brought about a further weakening of Britain’s might. It has lost its colonies which used to supply it with cheap raw materials.

     The original basis of British industry was coal-mining, and factories grew up not far from the main mining areas. Glasgow and Newcastle became great centers of engineering and shipbuilding. Lancashire produced cotton goods and Yorkshire woolen, with Sheffield concentrating on iron and steel. Birmingham developed light engineering.

     The structure of industry changed substantially in the last half of the 20^th century. As coal production replaced it as a major industry. Motor vehicle production became a significant part of the industrial base. British industrial production also expanded into communications equipment, including fiber optics, computers, computer-controlled machine tools, and robots.

     The so-called Silicon Glen between Glasgow and Edinburgh is  the site of many overseas computer firms. Scotland and Northern Ireland are still noted for their production of whiskey and textiles, especially linen from Northern Ireland are tweed from Scotland.

     Nowadays Britain remains an important manufacturing country. Britain mostly produces articles requiring skilled labour, such as precision instruments, electronic equipment; chemicals and high quality consumer goods. It produces and exports cotton and woolen goods, leather goods and articles made of various kinds of synthetic (man-made) materials. The leading traditional manufacturing regions of England are Greater London and the cities and regions around Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Newcastle upon Tyne.

     Britain has a large and sophisticated service sector. The UK service sector has grown substantially and now makes up about 73% of GDP. The service industries include finance, retailing, wholesaling, tourism, business services, transport, insurance, investment, advertising, public relations, market research, education, administration, and government and professional services. Telecommunications has become a dynamic growth industry, particularly with telex, facsimile, and e-mail communications.

     The United Kingdom is today the sixth largest economy in the world and the third largest in Europe after Germany and France. [6,p.41]

     Foreign trade is vital to Britain’s livelihood. With a large population, small land area and few natural resources, the country must depend on foreign trade to supply the raw material for its factories and to provide a market for the sale of the thousands of types of manufactured goods produced by British industries.

      The United Kingdom’s principal exports are vehicles, machinery, manufactured goods and textiles. The main imports are foodstuffs and most of the raw materials for industry. Britain imports half the food it needs. There is usually an unfavourable balance of trade, that is, imports exceeds exports, but this is compensated for in part  by the so-called invisible trade.

     The earnings from invisible trade come from in the way of shipping charges, interest payments from foreign investments, interest payments from British enterprises abroad and tourist expenditure. The earnings from foreign tourist trade mare this one of Britain’s important industries.

     Great Britain has got very sound economic ties with various countries of the world, especially the Commonwealth countries. The UK has been a member of the European Free Trade Association (E.F.T.A.) since 1959 and a member of the European Economic Community (E.E.C.) since 1973.