On July 5, 2016, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mr V. Groisman, met with the Ambassadors of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM, accredited in Ukraine, and the Secretary General of the Organization.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Ukraine, Mr M Ukleba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to Ukraine, Mr R. Bolbochan, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine, Mr N. Aliyev, Secretary General of GUAM, Mr A. Efendiev.

During the meeting, the Ambassadors and the Secretary General of GUAM were provided with information on the current development of the Organization, its activities in different areas, further initiatives and prospects. It was noted that the Organization and the region as a whole have a high potential for regional and interregional cooperation and attracting investments, especially in such areas as transport, economy, trade, tourism.

In the context of the aforesaid, the Prime Minister noted the need for a fully functioning free trade area between the GUAM member states on the basis of the signed Agreement as well as the formation of a favorable business space within the GUAM for engaging entrepreneurial energy and generating business initiatives and, in this connection, activation of the activities of the GUAM Business Council. The Prime Minister also initiated the holding this year of a meeting of the Heads of Government of the GUAM member states at which these and other issues of mutual interest would be discussed.

Also, the issues of the GUAM cooperation with other countries and international organizations were discussed as well as bilateral cooperation between the GUAM countries.

For their part, the Ambassadors and the GUAM Secretary General thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to hold the meeting and the hospitality and agreed to begin work on preparing the agenda of the meeting of the Heads of Governments.