Moldova on October 5 hosted the meeting of heads of government of the member states of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM) that includes Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova. A protocol of cooperation in the customs sector and a common statement of the meeting were signed at the end of the event, IPN reports.
In a news conference after the summit, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the event centered on the improvement of cooperation within GUAM and the importance of combining forces for overcoming the economic, social, political challenges and those related to security and stability in the region. “The statement that was signed today is first of all an expression of our wish to further develop the cooperation within GUAM. It is also a direct commitment to realize the social, economic, transport, scientific-technical and humanitarian potential of this organization,” he stated. “I’m firmly convinced that the cooperation within GUAM will continue to have a positive impact on our efforts aimed at achieving the common goals and objectives for consolidating democracy and developing the economy and trade between the GUAM member states. The cooperation for consolidating security in our region is not less important.”
The Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze said he is proud to ascertain that 21 years after the constitution of the organization, GUAM is a partnership of solidarity and respect for the member states. This way Georgia reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the efforts to further develop GUAM and to fully realize the organization’s potential. The common challenges related to the protracted conflicts in the GUAM area require the combination of forces so as to secure international assistance in giving a firm answer to the continuous violation of the territorial sovereignty of the member states. In this connection, GUAM remains open to cooperation with other states and organizations that share the same values. In another development, Mamuka Bakhtadze welcomed the signing of the protocol of cooperation in the customs sector, expressing his conviction that this will generate tangible results for the citizens of the countries in particular and for society in general.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman noted that Ukraine devotes special attention to the cooperation in this format. The discussions at the meeting centered on the development of cooperation so as to eliminate the bureaucratic and infrastructure barriers, to ensure maximum integration and to obtain economic development. They also discussed the political interaction and the coordination of efforts on a number of issues at international level. The sides should join forces, including in the infrastructure sector, so as to manage to further stimulate economic cooperation and to develop cooperation in other areas.
Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Akhmedov said GUAM is an important platform in addressing significant subjects and also a good format for regional reintegration that ensured the exchange of experience throughout its existence, including in economic cooperation and other areas.
Moldova this year holds the presidency of GUAM and this, according to the Moldovan authorities, is an opportunity for achieving the common objectives and intensifying cooperation between the member states, at international level.
