Saakashvili Hails Cooperation in Frames of GUAM

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said after the summit of GUAM leaders in Kiev, Ukraine on May 23 that this grouping of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, which has turned into a regional Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, is gaining momentum and increasing its “international reputation.”

“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.

Saakashvili also said that despite obstacles, GUAM member states are developing “very dynamically.”

“The international reputation of the GUAM member states has increased and strengthened significantly recently,” he added.

The headquarters of the new regional organization will be based in Kiev.

“We welcome the initiative and leadership of Ukraine and we understand that each [of the GUAM member states] should become a leader in the sphere where it can maximally be successful,” Saakashvili 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 after the summit.

President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, as well as officials from Bulgaria, Romania, U.S., and from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) attended the summit of GUAM leaders.