JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
of the Special Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM Member States on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of GUAM

The GUAM Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CMFA) held its Special Meeting on October 8, 2017 in Tbilisi, Georgia, to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of GUAM.

The Meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. E.Mammadyarov, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. M.Janelidze (Chairman of the Meeting), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Mr. A.Galbur, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. P.Klimkin and GUAM Secretary General Mr. A.Efendiev.

The CMFA underlined that the Joint Communiqué of the Heads of States of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine signed 20 years ago has initiated establishment of GUAM as an important regional format of cooperation aimed at fostering peace, security and cooperation in the Black Sea – Caspian Sea region based on democracy and economic development, by promoting trade, energy and transport links, as well as tourism and culture among the GUAM Member States and their partners.

The CMFA noted with satisfaction that the evolution of GUAM into the well-established regional organization with the developed institutional framework and mechanisms of interaction has provided a unique regional platform for promoting and strengthening cooperation among its Member States, as well as interregional cooperation.

The CMFA expressed its deep concern that the conflicts in the territory of GUAM States remain unresolved and undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Member States. The Council stressed the firm position of the GUAM Member States on soonest settlement of these conflicts based on the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of States, as expressed in the Joint Declaration of the Heads of State of the Organization for democracy and economic development – GUAM on issue of conflict settlement of 23 May 2006. In this regard, the Council appealed to the international community for persistent efforts and support for the earliest solution of the unresolved conflicts in the GUAM region based upon the aforementioned principles in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions, as well as documents and decisions of other international organizations.

The CMFA reaffirmed its strong position that the territory of a state may not be a subject of acquisition or military occupation or annexation, resulting from the threat or use of force in breach of the relevant norms and principles of international law.

The CMFA highlighted the current achievements of sectoral cooperation in the GUAM framework and called for expanding trade and economic relations and fostering interregional connectivity.

In this regard, the CMFA welcomed the Meeting of the Heads of the Government of GUAM Member States held in Kyiv on March 27, 2017 that gave an additional impetus to further strengthening of sectoral cooperation, facilitating the implementation of the Agreement on the Establishment of GUAM Free Trade Zone and promoting the GUAM Transport Corridor, stipulated in the Joint Statement adopted at the aforementioned Meeting.

Given the growing international significance attached to the global trade and transport connectivity, the CMFA stressed that GUAM Member States are vocal in view of the importance of further promotion of the GUAM Transport Corridor as an essential link connecting Europe and Asia, as well as a stable, secure and competitive East-West transit route and called upon international partners for active cooperation in realization of the projects and initiatives within the Concept of GUAM Transport Corridor.

The CMFA stressed the importance of promoting active engagement of private enterprises and business communities in the implementation of projects and initiatives in the framework of GUAM. In this regard, the CMFA welcomed further practical steps towards the implementation of the above-mentioned initiatives and promotion of public-private partnership in the development of trade and transport projects.

The CMFA praised the experience and achievements gained throughout the past years, among the GUAM Member States in the fields of culture, tourism, youth and sports. The CMFA underlined the importance of further enhancement of cooperation in the above-mentioned fields, as well as in the spheres of education, science and technology.

The CMFA acknowledged the successful cooperation established among the customs administrations within GUAM Trade and Transport Facilitation Project. The CMFA also underlined with satisfaction the achievements gained through the cooperation among the law-enforcement agencies of the GUAM Member States in the fields of combating organized crime and terrorism.

The CMFA welcomed the active cooperation among Parliaments of the GUAM Member States and the high level of interaction existing between the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly and the other regional interparliamentary organizations and outlined the importance of further strengthening of this cooperation.

The CMFA noted with satisfaction the support of the USA provided to the GUAM projects during the past years and outlined the 15th anniversary of the GUAM-USA Framework Program. In this regard, the CMFA reconfirmed the readiness to continue the mutually beneficial cooperation.

The CMFA noted with satisfaction the progress made in GUAM-Japan cooperation format, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and reaffirmed the intention of the GUAM Member States to further expand their partnership based on the “GUAM-Japan Cooperation Program”.

The CMFA praised the joint efforts of the GUAM Member States in promoting GUAM as a regional stakeholder in the international arena throughout the past 20 years, particularly within major International Organizations as well as through developing cooperation with the regional organizations.

The CMFA reaffirmed that GUAM remains open for active multi-faceted cooperation based on shared principles and values and reiterated its willingness for forging new GUAM+ formats of cooperation both with individual states and with other international organizations.

The CMFA emphasized that during the past 20 years, GUAM Member States have succeeded in building an atmosphere of partnership, trust and mutual respect. The CMFA once again reiterated the adherence of the Member States to the decisions, resolutions and documents adopted at the GUAM Summits, as well as the norms and principles of international law and expressed its firm belief that with consolidated efforts and cohesion the Organization will continue to become stronger and the Member States more prosperous.

The CMFA welcomed the Vision Paper, aimed at further cementing political, economic and sectoral dimensions for the benefit of the people of the GUAM Member States.

The CMFA expressed its gratitude to the Georgian Chairmanship for the hospitality and excellent organization of the Special Meeting of the Council.

On Behalf of the Republic of Azerbaijan

On Behalf of Georgia

On Behalf of the Republic of Moldova

On Behalf of Ukraine