Политика Беларуси в отношении соотечественников за рубежом

Abstract

The notions "diaspora" and "ethnic minority" partly coincide. The minority rights are guaranteed by major international instruments. However, every state is interested in cooperation with its national diaspora. In the early nineties the Republic of Belarus displayed its readiness to promote and protect the foreign compatriots' interests within the framework of the international law standards, having adopted the state programme "The Belarusians in the World" and having signed bilateral treaties. The paper points out the importance of cooperation with other states aimed at the protection of compatriots abroad.