Belarus terminates academic recognition agreement with Poland

October 27, BPN. The Belarusian government terminated its agreement with Poland on the recognition of higher education, academic and arts degrees on October 25.

Belarusian foreign ministry has yet to notify the Polish side about the decision.

The move comes amid tension between the two neighbors over Belarus’ persecution of Polish minority activists, support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and alleged role in engineering a migrant crisis at the shared border.

A week ago, Belarus’ security chief, Alaksandr Valfovič, accused Poland of preparing for an offensive war. Earlier, Alaksandr Łukašenka accused Warsaw of toying with plans to annex Belarusian territories.

The agreement has been in effect since 2005 with both countries mutually recognizing secondary education certificates and allowing school graduates access higher education institutions.

It also allowed Belarusian and Polish university graduates enroll for post-graduate programs in both countries.

Belarus and Poland recognized and accepted degrees awarded in both countries. Polish universities and technical schools admitted hundreds of Belarusian students every year.