Original: Russian

September 28, 2018, the eleventh session of the Parliamentary Assembly of GUAM was held in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, chaired by the Head of the delegation of the Parliament of Moldova to the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly. The parliamentary delegations of all GUAM Member States took part in the session.

The Parliamentary Assembly welcomed the eleventh session that took place in a spirit of cohesion and cooperation with the participation of authorized representatives of partner organizations, observers and high-level guests which demonstrated the growing role and significance of the GUAM PA in the system of regional parliamentarism.

The Parliamentary Assembly reaffirmed the importance that the parliamentarians of the GUAM Member States attach to the interaction within the Organization as a reliable platform for interparliamentary cooperation to strengthen friendship, mutual assistance and good-neighborliness. This partnership is based on adherence to universally recognized norms and principles of international law, a common understanding of democratic values, strategic interests and the importance of trade and economic cooperation as well as political interaction. The parliamentarians expressed their firm intention to increase the pace and deepen the interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation of the member states, upholding the fundamental principles of the Organization, in accordance with its statutory documents and decisions of the highest bodies aimed at protecting common interests in the political, sectoral and parliamentary dimensions of the GUAM.

Expressing its commitment to this strategic partnership based on mutual respect, trust and support, the GUAM PA is pleased to note the results achieved in coordinating the actions and manifestations of the solidarity of the GUAM PA parliamentarians in the international arena.

Recognizing the ongoing geopolitical changes and their impact on the economic situation in the region, modern challenges to security, peace and stability, the delegations of the GUAM PA highly appreciated the role of initiatives implemented under the auspices of international parliamentary forums and organizations in promoting interregional cooperation that uphold universally recognized norms and principles of international law.

Reaffirming the decisions taken at its 10th session, the Parliamentary Assembly expressed its deep concern over the ongoing conflicts in the territories of the GUAM Member States that undermine their state sovereignty and territorial integrity, have a detrimental effect on the economic development of the territories affected by these conflicts, and also create a threat to regional security. In this regard, the Parliamentary Assembly reaffirmed its unchanged position that the settlement of conflicts in the GUAM area should be carried out solely based on respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of the GUAM Member States. The PA GUAM appealed to all international partners to show solidarity and promote in possible way the speedy settlement of existing protracted armed conflicts in the territories of the GUAM Member States based on respect of their sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders, with the understanding that the territory of the state cannot be the object of acquisition by another State as a result of the threat or use of force, and that no territorial acquisition, military occupation or annexation, as a result of such an act, are not legal and have no force.

Recognizing the challenges to the peace and the opportunities associated with the introduction of innovative technologies, parliamentarians called for efforts to focus on information and, in particular, cybersecurity in the GUAM space. In this context, the GUAM PA welcomed joint efforts to draft a memorandum regulating the cooperation of member states in cybersecurity as well as to strengthen activity on improving national legislation and development, and the application of the principles, rules and procedures of international and national law in separate areas, for more effective counteraction to information threats.

Assessing the perspectives of development and strengthening of sectoral cooperation between the GUAM Member States, the participants of the Assembly stressed the need for further consolidation of efforts to implement the GUAM Plan to Promote Sectoral Cooperation adopted at the 30th Meeting of the GUAM Council of Foreign Ministers in Tbilisi, Georgia, on October 8, 2017. In particular, they noted the importance of developing and implementing targeted projects and programs based on the implementation of the transport and transit potential of the GUAM Member States that territories form a natural corridor linking the European and Asian continents. In the same context, the participants of the Assembly emphasized the paramount importance of implementing the GUAM flagship initiatives – the GUAM Transport Corridor Concept and the Agreement on the creation of the GUAM Free Trade Zone. The Parliamentary Assembly reaffirmed its intention to make efforts to deepen inter-parliamentary cooperation in order to strengthen and expand partnerships in trade, transport and infrastructure, science and technology, customs and border services, law enforcement, disaster and emergency management, culture, tourism, youth and sports.

The Parliamentary Assembly reiterated its intention to continue, in the framework of international cooperation, developing and strengthening of trust and partnership relations with the Baltic Assembly, the Benelux Assembly, the Nordic Council, the Visegrad Group and other international and regional interparliamentary associations to ensure protection and promotion of the common interests of the GUAM Member States. The Parliamentary Assembly appealed to the Baltic Assembly to consider the possibility of closer participation in the GUAM regional projects and initiatives with common goals and interests.

The Parliamentary Assembly took note of the results of the meetings of the relevant committees of the GUAM PA and the reports on their activity.

The Parliamentary Assembly expressed its gratitude to the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova for providing all necessary conditions for the fruitful work of the Assembly as well as for the cordiality and hospitality extended to the delegations of the GUAM Member States in Chisinau.

The Parliamentary Assembly also expressed gratitude to the Secretariat of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM for assistance in the conduct of the Parliamentary Assembly.

The Parliamentary Assembly decided to transfer the Chairmanship to the GUAM PA to Ukraine.

The dates and venue of the 12th session of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly in 2019 will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.

Adopted in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, September 28, 2018.