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The Embassy of Belarus in Vienna |
The Ambassador
H.E. Aliaksandr Mikhnevich
H.E. Aliaksandr Mikhnevich is a Belarusian diplomat with extensive experience in international relations and multilateral diplomacy. He serves as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Austria and Permanent Representative of Belarus to the international organizations based in Vienna. Throughout his diplomatic career, he has specialised in relations with European countries, international organisations, and multilateral cooperation.
Before his appointment to Vienna, Ambassador Mikhnevich held several senior diplomatic positions, including serving as Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. His career has focused on issues related to international security, disarmament, human rights, and Belarus’ engagement with international institutions.
History
Austria and Belarus established diplomatic relations on 1 February 1993, following Belarus’ independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Since then, bilateral relations have included political dialogue, economic exchanges, cultural cooperation, and contacts within international organisations, particularly due to Vienna’s role as a centre for multilateral diplomacy.
Relations have historically been described as pragmatic, with Austria maintaining dialogue with Belarus while also aligning with European Union positions regarding democratic standards and human rights. Economic cooperation has included trade in machinery, industrial products, agriculture, and technology. In recent years, political relations have been affected by developments in Belarus after the 2020 presidential elections and the country’s role following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
