04 December 2025, 16:10

How Belarus reached out to 'far arc' countries? No conspiracy theories, just facts!

For over a week now, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has been on a major trip abroad. Myanmar, Oman, Algeria, and prior to that, Kyrgyzstan… The itinerary is impressive. The West is speculating about why Lukashenko has traveled East. Well, the answer has long been known: a multi-vector approach is the priority of our country's foreign policy. The "far arc" countries are one of the most promising and interesting points. Myanmar and Algeria are new points on our diplomatic map, but not unfamiliar. Dialogue with these countries has been ongoing for several years. There have been different periods, but cooperation has never ceased. In a new episode of BelTA’s YouTube project “How It Was. DOC” we will explain how Belarus has been reaching out to the “far arc” regions, explore the shared interests at play and show why Myanmar and Algeria are not new to Belarusian diplomacy.

Why is 2025 truly historic?

Autumn 2014. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Min Aung Hlaing, then Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Armed Forces, in Minsk. At that time, the Belarusian leader stated that the dialogue between Belarus and Myanmar was forward-looking. The dialogue continued six months later, when Chairman of the House of Nationalities of the Assembly of the Union of Myanmar Khin Aung Myint visited Minsk. Aleksandr Lukashenko assured him that Belarus was ready to develop cooperation in all areas, ranging from civilian and military training within the education system to collaboration in agriculture and industry. Both sides agreed that the potential was substantial and should be fully utilized for the benefit of the two countries. Those talks marked the beginning of a broader dialogue.

Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Army Min Aung Hlaing, 4 November 2014

Since then, the world has undergone significant changes. Yet Belarus and Myanmar have preserved the foundation for expanding cooperation. This is best illustrated by the figures: in 2024, trade turnover between Belarus and Myanmar reached $34.6 million, which is 190% of the 2023 level.

Cooperation peaked in 2025, which Aleksandr Lukashenko described as historic for bilateral relations. In November, the Belarusian leader made his first official visit to Myanmar. Earlier that year, in March 2025, Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, had also undertaken his first official visit to Belarus. “We are keenly interested in Myanmar, which has much of what we need. I believe we have much to offer in return. I therefore urge you to examine Belarus closely - our industrial, agricultural, and logistical development. If you find something of value, we are here as a reliable partner, ready to support your goals,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated during the negotiations.

Aleksandr Lukashenko during negotiations with Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the National Security and Peace Commission Min Aung Hlaing, at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw, 28 November 2025

Aleksandr Lukashenko holds expanded talks with Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the National Security and Peace Commission Min Aung Hlaing, 28 November 2025

Aleksandr Lukashenko during a press conference following the talks with Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, 7 March 2025

The cooperation between Belarus and Myanmar is developing at such a rapid pace for a reason – the leaders are setting the rhythm. Three months later, once again in talks in Minsk, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Min Aung Hlaing discussed issues of bilateral cooperation. This time, the leader of Myanmar arrived in Belarus to participate in the EAEU summit. While in March 2025 they primarily discussed plans, in June they were already talking about implementing specific projects, creating joint ventures, and opening new directions. There is no time for a slow start – the well-known thesis of the Belarusian leader extends to the foreign policy as well.

The results of the agreements between the heads of state were not long in coming. Already in November, a Belarusian-Myanmar business forum was held in Yangon. Contracts worth $9 million were signed! The parties agreed to establish an assembly production line for BELARUS tractors in Myanmar.In addition, Belarusian and Myanmar businesses agreed to organize sales and service support. A contract was also signed for the supply of 400 tractor kits. It was decided to deliver pharmaceutical products by Belmedpreparaty and Minskintercaps to Myanmar. And this is only the beginning – but a bright one!

What doors does Algeria open?

The Belarusian president has paid official visits to Zimbabwe, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, and other African countries. He had not visited Algeria until 2025. But this does not mean that cooperation with this country was not developing.

Interest in Algeria has existed for a long time. Objective factors hindered effective development: Algeria’s civil war and the global coronavirus pandemic. Yet even amid such difficult conditions, Belarus-Algeria dialogue continued. In 2018, in order to restore trade and economic relations, Algeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abdelkader Messahel visited Belarus. “The level of relations we currently maintain with your friendly country cannot be regarded as satisfactory, particularly against the backdrop of declining trade and economic ties. In this, responsibility lies with both sides – yours and ours,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said then.

Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with Algeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abdelkader Messahel, 20 February 2018

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 3 December 2025

The parties began working on the solution together. There was no need to reinvent the wheel, the cooperation is built on established areas of cooperation where competencies and mutual interests align. Discussions are focusing on industrial cooperation, supplies of machinery and food, interaction in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and information and communication technologies.

Algeria, like other African nations, needs to address the issue of food security. And Belarus has much to offer. Algeria is the largest country on the African continent. Its vast market and the gateway it provides to other African markets are opportunities that cannot be missed or underestimated. The president regularly reminds us of this: “We should not think that Africa is just poverty and it has nothing to offer. Not at all! The world cannot achieve dynamic growth today without the resources of this continent. We cannot afford to miss our chance in the competitive race for Africa’s markets. This will require hard and intense work.” It sounds very relevant, doesn’t it? This statement was made back in 2017 during a meeting on foreign policy priorities.

What about Oman?

Good positive examples of cooperation with African countries are already available. One of them is Oman, which is also included in the president’s extensive business trip itinerary. Once upon a time, relations between Belarus and Oman were poorly developed. But the active work of diplomats and personal friendly relations between the heads of state did their job. In 2024, Aleksandr Lukashenko paid a working visit to Oman where cooperation in various areas was discussed at the top level. And since then the parties have been working hard. Today Oman is an important partner for Belarus along the far arc. It is a promising hub for selling Belarusian goods in North Africa and the Persian Gulf. Oman is interested in Belarusian agricultural products, machines, vehicles, and pharmaceutics. The tourism sector has big potential. The agreement on mutual visa abolition will give a good impetus to its development. And this is far from a complete list of the fields where the countries can work together. In October 2025, during negotiations with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said the Belarusian head of state assured that Belarus is ready to cooperate with Oman across the board. The plans are ambitious, but most importantly there is an understanding of how to make them a reality.