On February 16, 2016, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Ukraine, Mr. Zhang Xiyun, received the Secretary General of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM, Mr. Altai Efendiev.

During their lengthy conversation, which took place in an open and friendly atmosphere, the Parties exchanged information and views on the ongoing processes and their impact on the GUAM countries.

The SG informed the Ambassador about the Organization, its main activities, and the development of GUAM’s international cooperation with third countries and international organisations. The SG also spoke in detail about the programme and main priorities of the GUAM’s Chairman. They underlined that opportunities for regional cooperation are opening within the GUAM framework, and that international cooperation is improving with regards to important initiatives. In particular, they noted China’s initiative to develop the Great Silk Way (GSW) and the related possibilities that are opening for cooperation. The Parties noted that all GUAM countries are enthusiastic about this initiative, and that the GUAM format could serve as a regional platform for implementing projects of mutual interest. In particular, they placed emphasis on the GUAM transport corridor development as an integral part of one of the GSW routes.

The SG informed the Ambassador about the measures and initiatives being undertaken by GUAM countries and their partners in relation to transporting cargo from Ukraine to China, which currently passes through the territory of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as crossing the Black and Caspian seas.

The Ambassador noted that he monitors the ongoing processes with interest, welcomed the accession of GUAM to GSW’s initiative and noted that at this stage work is being done on a bilateral level. Referring the issue of East-West transport corridor and transit shipments, the Ambassador noted that currently two main land routes used actively. He noted that to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of transport corridor of GUAM and to attracting carriers a great job need to be done, and wished success to countries in implementing of their plans.

The Parties agreed to maintaining relations and exchanging information.