The promotion of democracy, peace and security, and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures were set as the major priorities of the new regional organization which was established by Georgian, Ukrainian, Azeri and Moldovan leaders at a summit in Kiev on May 23.
The U.S.-backed informal grouping of these post-Soviet states, known as GUAM, has now turned into a regional Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (ODED) with headquarters in Kiev. The Presidents of Georgia, Ukrain, Azerbaijan, and Moldova – Mikheil Saakashvili, Victor Yushchenko, Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Voronin, respectively – signed the charter of the organization at the summit in the Ukrainian capital.
“The international reputation of GUAM member states has increased and strengthened significantly recently,” he added.
“We have demonstrated our common view of policy directed towards European integration… We want to play a great role on the international arena,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.
“We have discussed issues related with international terrorism, separatism, extremism, and transnational organized crime… which are regarded as a major obstacle on the road of democratic development,” Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko said, adding that GUAM should focus on cooperation with EU and NATO.
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said that the GUAM will join efforts for solving secessionist conflicts.
“Three out of the four GUAM members have territorial problems. We will be looking for consolidated approaches for solving these problems,” Voronin said.
Economy/Energy Cooperation
At a joint news conference GUAM leaders stressed the importance of economic cooperation, as well as issues related with transportation of energy resources.
One day earlier the Foreign Ministers from the GUAM member states signed a protocol in Kiev on the implementation of the Agreement on Establishment of Free Trade Area.
“Against the background of an economic embargo [referring to Russia’s ban on the import of Georgian and Moldovan wine], we have agreed to introduce a free trade regime between our countries. This is a very concrete benefit for all [GUAM member] states, for all citizens and producers, as well as for all exporters and importers from these countries,” President Saakashvili said.
Yushchenko also hailed the agreement on free trade, but said that harmonization of customs and border regulations, as well as a tariff policy, is necessary among the GUAM member states.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev underlined the importance of energy security. He said that GUAM member states represent a “natural transportation corridor.”
“Issues related with energy security are becoming a top priority in respect to the development of our region. These issues are directly linked with the strengthening of our independence,” Ilham Aliyev said.
The Ukrainian President also spoke about energy security and noted that Ukraine is ready to participate in projects aimed at shipping Central Asian energy resources to Europe via Azerbaijan and Georgia.
“New opportunities for transporting oil from Central Asian and the Caucasus region are now emerging. We see the transit functions of Ukraine in shipping Caspian oil to Europe,” Yushchenko said.
“Future members of the EU – Bulgaria and Romania – can also become our members, as they can fit well to those energy corridors in frames of our organization,” Vladimir Voronin, the Moldovan President, said.
CIS ‘Alternative’
This summit of GUAM leaders comes against the background of Georgia’s increasing criticism towards the Commonwealth of Independent States. Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili said on May 13 that the “political decision” about Georgia’s withdrawal from the CIS is clear “but discussions are now underway about when and how to do this.”
The GUAM leaders reiterated that the new organization is not directed against any country and can not serve as an alternative to the CIS.
But President Saakashvili voiced criticism towards the CIS and said that “in frames of GUAM we will try to solve those problems which we have not been solved in frames of the CIS.”
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Denisov told RIA Novosti on May 23 that Moscow does not consider the Kiev summit of GUAM leaders “as anti-Russian.”
But he expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the organization.
“We think it is better to focus on improving the already working organizations, which have gained certain potential; but if someone wants to make something new – this is their business and we have nothing to do with this,” Andrey Denisov said.
U.S. Backing
The transformation of the GUAM into a new regional organization was welcomed by the United States in a joint statement issued by the U.S. and GUAM member states after a joint session of the GUAM Foreign Ministers’ council on May 22-23 in Kiev.
The U.S. delegation was led by David J. Kramer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs.
“The United States supported the creation of the ‘Organization for Democracy and Economic Development-GUAM’ with Secretariat in Kyiv and pledged to provide appropriate assistance,” says the joint statement.
The U.S. has also reiterated its support to the territorial integrity of the GUAM member states.