On December 4, 2008 in Helsinki, the 15th meeting of the GUAM Council of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs – United States of America was held within the framework of the 16th OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting.
The sides reiterated the consistent and sustainable character of the GUAM – United States political dialogue. They exchanged views on the situation in the region as well as on the joint efforts within the Agenda item 13 of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly entitled “Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development”. The sides expressed their conviction that the international community shall intensify efforts on the settlement of the protracted conflicts in the GUAM area on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the GUAM Member States as well as other basic principles of international law.
The sides assessed their cooperation following the GUAM – United States meeting in Batumi on July 1, 2008 within the framework of the Third GUAM Summit and in New York on 23 September 2008 within the framework of the 63rd Session of the UN GA.
The GUAM representatives presented for consideration of the US side the proposals agreed by the GUAM Member-States’ law-enforcement authorities in the fields of combat against trafficking in human beings and illegal migration, illicit drug trafficking, and modernization of national segments of the GUAM Interstate Information Management System, as well as the Project agreed between the GUAM Member-States’ Border Guard Authorities on “International Technical Assistance in accordance with International Standards to provide Security of GUAM Transport Corridor”. The sides agreed to continue implementation of the existing projects for 2009-2010 and to elaborate within the Framework GUAM-USA Program new projects of cooperation as well.
GUAM appreciated the technical assistance of the US side provided to GUAM, including its Secretariat and Member-States’ respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
The sides agreed to have the next GUAM – United States meeting in the beginning of July 2009 within the framework of the next GUAM Summit.
