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GUAM GROUP

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Participants: Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova

Background

In 1996 the delegations of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine issued joint statements and proposed common initiatives for cooperation within the framework of the four countries at the Conference between the countries of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe held in Vienna (Austria).

On October 10, 1997 the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine met in Strasbourg during the summit of the Council of Europe and stated their mutual interest in developing bilateral and regional cooperation, European and regional security, political and economic contacts. In the Joint Communiqué issued, the four Presidents stressed the importance of establishing a Eurasian, Trans-Caucasus transportation corridor (TRACECA), and underscored the importance of strengthening the cooperation.

On April 23-25, 1999 during NATO/EAPC Summit held in Washington D.C. the heads of the GUAM states conducted a meeting where Uzbekistan joining was declared.

On September 6, 2000, while taking part in the UN Millennium Summit in New York, the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan agreed to intensify multilateral cooperation within the framework of the GUUAM Group by giving it a multilevel character. It was deemed to convene regular summits at least once a year, and meetings at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs at least twice a year. The Committee of National Coordinators (CNC) was created to hold regular sessions on a quarterly basis.

On July 7, 2001 in Yalta (Ukraine) the first GUUAM summit took place. At the summit the Charta on objectives and principles of the Organization was adopted.

On June 14, 2002 Uzbekistan stated on restriction of the format of its participation in GUUAM. At first this statement was regarded as Tashkent’s intention to withdraw from the Group of Five. Later on the Uzbek Foreign Ministry made it clear that Uzbekistan was going to participate in the economic programs and the programs on fighting terrorism.

On July 20, 2002 at the Yalta summit the Agreement on creation of the free trade area was signed.

On September 14, 2002 New York hosted the GUUAM-USA meeting where the Foreign Ministers of the GUUAM member states encouraged a deep cooperation with the USA.

In December 2003 GUUAM was granted the status of the UN observer.

In September 2004 the representatives of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova signed a declaration on creation of the GUUAM Parliamentary Assembly.

At the GUUAM summit in Chisinau held on April 22, 2005 the heads of state signed a declaration “On democracy, stability and development” reading as follows: the necessity of the reform of the Organization and the creation of conditions for the security, economic and transport cooperation jointly with the EU and NATO countries.

In May 2005 Uzbekistan notified the allies about its withdrawal from the GUUAM Group due to “the essential change of the initially stated objectives and tasks” of the Organization.

On May 22-22, 2006 the summit of the GUAM Group was hold in Kyiv. Several important decisions on the future development of GUAM were taken. The presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine signed the declaration on establishment of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM. The member states of the GUAM decided to create fuel and energy council to coordinate energy and security policy. During the summit Viktor Yushchenko declared that the member states would solve the local issues, which were not on the CIS agenda. Despite his declaration some experts still think that GUAM Group opposes the CIS. On May 24, Nikolai Ureke, Ambassador of Romania in Azerbaijan, declared the will of Romania to join the GUAM Group.

On June 18-19, 2007 the GUAM summit took place in Baku. Besides the GUAM leaders the presidents of the third countries such as Lithuania, Poland, Romania as well as representatives of Bulgaria, Estonia, Japan, Latvia and the USA took part in the Baku summit. During the summit the GUAM-USA, GUAM-Japan and GUAM-Poland meetings were held. Presidents of Azerbaijan – Ilham Aliev, Ukraine – Viktor Yushchenko, Georgia – Mikheil Saakashvili and prime-minister of Moldova – Vasile Tarlev signed the Baku declaration “Guam Brings Continents Together”. This document confirmed the commitment of the member states to the principles of democracy, supremacy of law, respect for human rights and successful social and economic development. It was pointed that cooperation of the GUAM member states would contribute to a fair solution of the frozen conflicts in the post-Soviet space.

The experts consider the GUAM creation to be an effort of the CIS leaders to resist Russia’s domination on the post-Soviet area. They think that the main objective of the bloc is to create alternative transport and energetic corridors outside Russia.

Major Objectives of the GUAM Group

According to the Yalta Charter, the GUAM aims to:

  • promote social and economic development
  • strengthen trade and economic ties
  • develop transport and communication arteries
  • strengthen regional security
  • interact in the framework of international organizations
  • fight international terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking
Documents

GUAM activity is adjusted by the following regulations and standards:

  • Yalta GUUAM Charter (adopted on June 07, 2001) Doc (63 Kb)
  • Convention of the GUUAM countries on mutual assistance in consular issues
  • Regulations on the Council of Foreign Ministers of the GUUAM countries
  • Agreement on creation of the free trade area (signed at the Yalta summit on July 20, 2002)
  • Agreement on a joined action against terrorism and organized crime
Managing Bodies

The GUAM supreme managing body is the annual meeting of the heads of state. The chairman post is being taken up on the rotational basis in alphabetic order.

The GUAM executive body is the Council of Foreign Ministers, whose sessions take place twice a year. The Council is responsible for the implementation of the agreements and for the preparation of proposals for further cooperation.

The GUAM standing body is the Committee of National Coordinators (CNC). The CNC meetings are held once per every three months. The extraordinary meeting of the CNC can be held on proposal of one of the member states.

The GUAM structure also comprises:

  • The working group on the commercial and economic cooperation
  • The working group on the energetic cooperation
  • The working group on the transport issues
  • The working group on telecommunications
  • The working group on culture, science and education
  • The working group on tourist industry
  • The working group on fighting terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking
Personalities

Valery Chechelashvili, Secretary General (appointed on September 25, 2006)

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