GUAM Sectoral Cooperation Development Strategy

I. Economic Issues

1. Economy and Trade

Full-scale implementation of the Agreement on the creation of a free trade zone among GUAM Member-States of 20 July 2002 should play an important role in achieving statutory goals of the Organization in the field of trade and economic cooperation among Member-States.

Priority areas of cooperation

• finalizing creation and ensuring effective functioning of the GUAM free trade zone without any exceptions and limitations whatsoever, based on GATT/WTO principles;
• approaching and harmonizing legislation in the field of foreign trade and foreign trade policy, as well as bringing it into consistency with legislation governing EU internal market;
• developing cooperation in the field of customs, inclusive of customs policy;
• progressively liberalizing and creating conditions for services, capital, and labor to flow freely;
• developing specialization and cooperation in the fields of mutual interest, including based on setting up international business organizations and joint ventures;
• developing cooperation in the field of economic policy, budgetary policy, public finance, financial markets, statistics;
• developing cooperation in the field of public (State) procurement, rights of intellectual and industrial property, competition, industry, research and technology, outer space;
• developing cooperation in the field of employment, social policy, health, and consumers’ rights protection;
• developing cooperation in the field of agriculture and fish industry.

Objectives of Cooperation

• creation of a free trade zone without any exceptions and limitations whatsoever which should ensure:
  •  elimination of customs duties, quantitative limitations in State-to-State trade;
  •  elimination of other obstacles to free flow of goods and services;
  •  setting up and developing an efficient system of mutual settlements and payments in the field of trade and other transactions.
• elimination of technical barriers in trade;
• promotion of trade and investments which ensures sustainable development of Member-States’ economies on the basis of generally recognized rules and principles of international law;
• integrating and building up economic potentials of Member-States in view of strengthening competitive capacity of their economies at external markets;
• facilitating development of industrial cooperation and scientific and technical cooperation at international (intersectoral, regional) level and at the level of economic operators;

Major Tasks of Cooperation

• ensuring as open as possible mutual access of goods and services at each other’s markets;
• representing and protecting economic operators of Member-States in matters related to economic cooperation;
• encouraging inflow of investments, first and foremost in export-oriented projects;
• ensuring compliance of foreign economic operations with national laws.

Forms of Cooperation

• implementation of GUAM Council’s decisions and of treaties in the field of economy which were concluded within GUAM framework;
• elaboration of a strategy to support Member-States’ manufacturers;
• holding joint conferences, seminars, as well as mutually planning, preparing, and implementing research projects.

2. Transport

Favorable geographic position of GUAM Member-States whose territories thus form a natural bridge between highly integrated European community and impetuously developing Asian countries constitutes one of the most important prerequisites for the development of transport corridors and transport infrastructure.

In globalization environment, efficiently managed and safe GUAM’s transport corridors will play the role of a system-building element in the development of economy, such element promoting trade, private entrepreneurship, and investments within GUAM space.

They will substantially facilitate regional economic integration of our States, emergency of a common commodities and services market, and strengthening GUAM’s key role in the creation of the transport corridor “Europe-Caucasus-Asia.” In this connection, GUAM Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation in the field of transport:

Objectives of Cooperation

• Preparing proposals for improving transport policy, harmonization of legislation and mechanisms for its execution, standards and norms specifying the manner in which all types of transport means should operate in the territory of GUAM Member-States;
• Developing transport infrastructure and setting up a stable chain for multimodal transportation;
• Elaborating uniform requirements for passenger and freight carriers and transportation operators, such requirements being included in appropriate agreements;
• Defining principles for the development of a flexible tariff policy in the field of passenger and freight transportation;
• Loosening procedure for crossing frontiers of GUAM Member-States by transported passengers and freights;
• Participating in the elaboration and implementation of joint proposals, projects, and programs in the field of transport;
• Developing and ensuring safety of sea transport;
• Taking advantage of informational technologies in order to increase efficiency of international transportation by rail, road, sea, and air, as well as border and customs formalities;
• Promoting development of all types of transport services among GUAM Member-States;
• Creating equal conditions for the competition among individual types of transport;
• Developing international cooperation in the field of transit traffic, as well as improving coordination of actions by all those concerned;
• Ensuring safety of traffic and freights and promoting environmental protection;
• Elaborating and implementing coordinated scientific-and-technical policy, including in the field of ecology and traffic safety.

Forms of cooperation

• implementation of GUAM Council’s decisions and of treaties concluded within GUAM framework in the field of transport;
• harmonization of transport policy and legal framework in the field of transport;
• Training and re-training;
• Cooperation with working bodies of international transport organizations;
• Assessment of the progress in implementation of projects and treaties concluded within GUAM Framework;
• Joint planning and carrying out actions aimed at preventing likely problems in transportation of passengers and freights;
• Holding conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as mutually planning, preparing, and implementing research projects;
• Introduction of new transport technologies in organization and coordination of transportations.

3. Energy

Increasingly large needs of GUAM Member-States in energy supplies require closer cooperation in the field of energy.

Taking into account realities of our times, GUAM Member-States seek to coordinate steps aimed at strengthening energy security, benefiting from, and developing pipeline networks and other transport infrastructure to increase transit and energy supplies, as well as to combine their efforts aimed at preparing and implementing projects in the field of alternative energy sources.

Accordingly, in the field of energy, GUAM Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation, which will be considered subject to their commercial costs and benefits:

Objectives of Cooperation

• elaboration of proposals for optimizing utilization and development of existing oil and gas transportation routes and other transport infrastructure;
• identification of promising energy supplies routes;
• discussion of technological and operational aspects relating to access to energy markets;
• implementation of programs for ensuring Member-States’ energy security;
• deeper coordination of the development of alternative energy sources;
• looking for ways and possibilities to loose States’ dependency on imported energy supplies from third countries.

Forms of Cooperation

• elaboration of proposals for effective utilization of energy supply transportation networks;
• preparation of investment projects;
• promotion of projects aimed at strengthening energy security of GUAM countries;
• finding possibilities to integrate efforts at energy supplies markets;
• planning and implementing actions aimed at loosing dependence on imported energy supplies.

4. Informational Technologies

Development of economy, improvement of utilization and strengthening the role of information and communication technologies, as well as ensuring access to information and informational services require that a new approach should be found to the concept of utilization and introduction of informational technologies.

GUAM Member-States need to establish cooperation in view of developing information-oriented community, integrating in world informational system, and increasing efficiency of public administration.

Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation in the field of informational technologies:

Objectives of Cooperation

• improvement of legislation which seems to be necessary for the development of cooperation in this field;
• elaboration and improvement of methods and means which allow developing information-oriented community;
• implementation of joint projects aimed at creating and developing informational infrastructure;
• development of distance learning;
• creation and improvement of a system for interaction among Member-States.

Forms of Cooperation

• cooperation in building up information-oriented community;
• holding conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as mutually planning, preparing, and implementing research projects;
• implementation of earmarked and scientific-and-technical programs;
• exchange of experience in the field of utilization and application of digital signature;
• joint implementation of interstate projects aimed at increasing the openness of public authorities and the level of citizens’ participation in political life through information-and-communication technologies;
• jointly conducting researches at the level of existing public and community institutions in order to identify the extent of software development and the prospects for the development thereof at the basis of the national standardized framework;
• preparation of proposals for the improvement of legislation;
• implementation of joint actions within the framework of the appropriate international programs;
• exchange of specialists and researchers, training;
• exchange of information, periodicals, methodic and other literature, video and photo materials;
• preparation of, and support for, joint interstate projects in the field of equal access to public information for all users, including disabled people;
• discussion of problems existing in utilization of open code software;
• elaboration and implementation of joint interstate programs in the field of training and development training for the staff of public and community institutions in mastering electronic control applications;
• actions in the field of exchanging experience in the provision of electronic services;
• consultations on the problem of statistical indicators in the field of information-oriented community;
• elaboration and adoption of a joint strategy for creation, operation, and further development of GUAM communication-and-postal space.

II. Legal Order and Security

1. Fight against Terrorism, Organized Crime, and Drug Trafficking

Organized crime whose scope and destructive effect acquire global nature poses a real threat to the security of GUAM Member-States. Terrorism and illegal trade in arms, criminal group’s activities in the economic field, illegal drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, and illegal migration have exceeded national boundaries.

Trends towards delineating spheres of criminal world influence show that it is necessary to further develop international cooperation at the regional level, specific and coordinated actions by competent authorities of Member-States to fight against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and other dangerous types of crimes.

Consequently, GUAM Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation in the field of fight against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and other dangerous types of crimes.

Objectives of Cooperation

• Harmonization and improvement of legislation;
• Elaboration of projects and measures to set up and improve a system for interaction of law enforcement authorities;
• Elaboration and improvement of appropriate methods, means, and mechanisms;
• Development of analytical aspect of cooperation;
• Promotion of operational interaction.

Forms of Cooperation

• elaboration of proposals for legislative improvements;
• organization and promotion of preparation of experts in information analysis;
• cooperation in ensuring security of transport and communication lines and related infrastructure;
• establishing cooperation in preventing likely terrorist acts with the use of weapon of mass destruction, including technological and bioterrorism;
• organizing and conducting monitoring, preparing forecasts to detect dangerous trends and likely zones of criminal risk;
• planning, arranging, and holding joint regional and local events;
• taking advantage of GUAM Virtual Center to allow exchanging information among operational bodies of border guard agencies;
• organizing and conducting joint actions within the framework of relevant international programs;
• promotion of exchanges through NIATS;
• enlarging existing communication possibilities of MIAS and ensuring required level of protection for information exchanges;
• exchange of experience in the field of improving national and regional cooperation;
• extending cooperation with other regional organization involved in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and other types of transnational crimes (UN Committed against Terrorism, OSCE Counterterrorism Network, Interpol, Europol, SECI);
• creation of an allocated information database in view of extending analytical potential of national segments in GUAM Virtual Center;
• conducting meetings of the GUAM working bodies concerned;
• conducting joint seminars, study tours, training, etc.

2. Preventing and Eliminating Consequences of Natural and Man-Made Emergencies

In times when economies develop, urbanization and urban population grow, ecology and environment bear additional pressure, technologies are being sophisticated, catastrophes and natural disasters become increasingly frequent, and new challenges and threats appear, it is necessary to find a new approach to the prevention of, and respond to, emergencies.

GUAM Member-States acutely need to establish cooperation in view of increasing effectiveness of systems for the protection of population, strategic and public sites and survival support facilities, territories, environment from various types of emergencies.

Accordingly, GUAM Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation in the field of emergencies prevention.

Objectives of Cooperation

• Improvement of legislation to allow development of cooperation among Member-States in this field;
• Setting up and improving a system for interaction among appropriate structures of Member-States in the field of prevention and elimination of natural and man-made emergencies’ consequences;
• Elaboration and improvement of methods and means aimed at preventing and eliminating natural and man-made emergencies;
• Provision of mutual assistance in elimination of natural and man-made emergencies’ consequences;
• Assistance in the organization of operational interaction among Member-States if an emergency response is needed.

Forms of Cooperation

• Elaboration of proposals for the improvement of legislation and for matters falling within the competence of appropriate structures of GUAM Member-States;
• Carrying out joint actions in appropriate international programs;
• Exchange of specialists and researchers, training and retraining;
• Designing means for direct and immediate communication in order to exchange information with regard to proposals and requests for help;
• exchange of information, periodicals, methodic and other literature, video and photo materials;
• Implementation of targeted and scientific-and-technical programs aimed at preventing and eliminating emergencies’ consequences;
• Design and implementation of research projects in the field of crisis management;
• Exchange of experience in the formation of lower bodies;
• Organization of operational interaction among GUAM Member-States in cases of emergency responses;
• Establishing operative communication to timely warn about emergencies occurring in the territory of GUAM Member-States;
• Joint organization and implementation of the monitoring of dangerous man-made and natural processes;
• Organization and provision of joint assistance to third States in eliminating natural and man-made emergencies’ consequences;
• Provision of joint humanitarian assistance should a natural and man-made emergency occur in the territory of GUAM Member-States;
• Jointly developing a plan of response to emergencies occuring in the territory of GUAM Member-States;
• Identifying zones of potential risk, monitoring, forecasting and assessing natural and man-made emergencies’ consequences;
• Jointly planning and implementing actions aimed at preventing natural and man-made emergencies and eliminating consequences thereof;
• Holding joint conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as planning, designing, and implementing research projects;
• Conducting joint exercises, training, relief contests.

III. Humanitarian Matters

1. Culture, Science, and Education

Intensification of GUAM multilateral cooperation in the field of culture, science, and education is called to facilitate promotion of spiritual and moral values, creation of conditions for peace and social cohesion, mutual familiarization with national wealth, identity, historical and cultural heritage, strengthening friendship relations among GUAM Member-States.

Recognizing the importance of cooperation in the field of culture, science, and education within the framework of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM), Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation.

Objectives of Cooperation

• Strengthening cultural relations in the field of preservation of, and familiarization with, cultural heritage;
• Promoting cultural dialogue, developing cultures of peoples and ethnic groups residing in the territories of each other and promoting cultural diversity as a foundation of civil society;
• Maintaining relations among youth organizations;
• Strengthening and developing cooperation in the field of education based on principles of independence and integrity of GUAM Member-States’ educational systems;
• Improvement of educational process, particularly in order to develop aspiration to knowledge among young generation;
• Strengthening cooperation in the field of science;
• Design and implementation of joint programs and researches;
• Benefiting from new forms and areas of cooperation, as well as experience of developed counties in the field of education and protection, preservation and use of historical and cultural heritage;
• Implementation of relevant treaties of cooperation in the field of culture, science, and education;
• Improvement of pertaining legal framework.

Forms of Cooperation

• Continuing regular expert cooperation within appropriate working group;
• Elaboration of programs for the exchange of experience in the field of education and science;
• Promotion of artistic and cultural projects and organization of joint cultural events under GUAM aegis (festivals, master-classes, exhibitions, new works of art, tourist tours, conferences, concerts, days of culture);
• Development of cooperation within the framework of appropriate international forums, in particular UNESCO, to achieve common goals, advocacy and promote Member-States’ cultural diversity;
• Organizing patriotic camps for the youth;
• Elaboration and implementation of common scientific projects (cooperation with Ukrainian Scientific and Technological Center and other scientific organizations);
• Conducting common scientific and educational events under GUAM aegis (lectures/seminars for students, scientific conferences, and symposiums) with participation of young researchers;
• Deepening direct ties among academies of sciences, other scientific institutions, and research institutes;
• Establishing direct relations among general education schools and Art schools and higher education institutions;
• Improvement of mechanisms and legal framework for exchanging pupils, students, and teachers so that they could obtain education and development training in educational institutions of GUAM Member-States at a compensation basis;
• Exchange of experience and information, at international conferences as well;
• Production of TV cultural and educational programs devoted to GUAM Member-States.

2. Tourism

GUAM Member-States possess a reach historic and cultural potential.

Economic development of the region contributed to the development of new tourist routes and related infrastructure.

Cooperation of GUAM Member-States in the field of tourism promotes regional economic integration and building up common market of tourist services.

In this connection GUAM Member-States have set the following objectives and forms of cooperation in the field of tourism.

Objectives of Cooperation

• improvement of tourist policy, harmonization of legislation and mechanisms for its implementation;
• development of tourist infrastructure;
• participation in the preparation and implementation of joint proposals, projects, and programs in the field of tourism;
• development of stable tourist products which contribute to the reduction of poverty, especially ecotourism’s products;
• development of investment policy in such areas as ecotourism, agrotourism, as well as elaboration of a joint plan of actions aimed at creating a favorable investment environment in tourist industry;
• institutional and legal support for cooperation in the field of tourism in accordance with standards and requirements of the World Tourist Organization;
• Facilitating all forms of tourism and creating equal conditions for competition;
• Conducting joint marketing campaigns devoted to interregional tourism at major directions;
• Building up a common framework for dialogue of governmental structures with the private sector, educational institutions, tourist centers, and other parties concerned in the field of tourism;
• Ensuring safety of tourist travels and environmental protection;
• Deepening knowledge in the field of tourism in order to ensure competitive and sustainable tourism.

Forms of Cooperation

• implementation of GUAM Council’s decisions and of treaties in the field of tourism which were concluded within GUAM framework;
• harmonization of legislation in the field of tourism;
• training and re-training;
• cooperation with international tourist organization;
• assessment of the progress in implementation of projects and treaties which were concluded within GUAM framework;
• jointly planning and carrying out actions aimed at promoting joint tourist products;
• holding joint conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as mutually planning, preparing, and implementing research projects.