European Union: What It Is A brief factbook The factbook offers readers information about the greatest economic and political power on our continent, the European Union. It covers history, legal basics, the political and economic system, common policy areas, benefits of EU membership for new members, the EU expansion to Central and Eastern Europe and relations between the EU and Belarus. Of all nations in Central and Eastern Europe, Belarus has never declared closer ties with the EU among its top foreign policy priorities. Certainly, this may be explained by internal political factors. In addition, for quite a long time the EU viewed its relations with Belarus in a much broader context of its relationship with Russia. Importantly, Belarus has the greatest potential for rapprochement with the EU because bilateral relations have reached a low point. The nation has a chance to improve ties with the EU on condition that its government carries out political and economic reform, and puts strong ties with the EU on its agenda.