Georgian PM Attends GUAM Organization Meeting

On Monday, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili participated in a meeting of government officials from GUAM Organization countries in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development is a regional organization of four post-Soviet states: Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.

The initiative to hold a meeting between these governments was made by Azerbaijan, the country which chaired the organization in 2016. This year, Georgia is the chair country.

Kvirikashvili delivered a speech at the meeting, saying stronger coordination between the GUAM member states is necessary. He thanked his Ukrainian counterpart for hosting the event and expressed hope that the meeting would enhance political and private-sector cooperation among the GUAM member states. “We can strengthen GUAM and our countries by our joint efforts; we should clearly realize what we want to achieve together, because success, first of all, depends on our consistent and coordinated cooperation,” he said.

The Georgian PM added that the development of sectoral cooperation will strengthen the political interaction among member states and will help to achieve both the joint and individual economic interests of the member states. “At present, there is a wide range of possibilities opened up to expand trade and economic ties, and to deepen economic integration, not only among the GUAM Member States, but also with the other interested countries,” he noted. Kvirikashvili welcomed the signing of documents aimed at improving the functioning of the GUAM Free Trade Zone and enhancing the competiveness of the GUAM Transport Corridor.

He stressed that territorial integrity is one of the most painful problems and challenges for GUAM member countries. “Unresolved conflicts in the GUAM region continue to impede political, economic and social development. In this regard, the GUAM voice should sound as loud as possible. All of us should more actively use the GUAM potential for gaining wider international support,” Kvirikashvili said.

The GUAM Organization was created by four post-Soviet states in 1997 during a summit in Strasburg. In 1999, Uzbekistan joined the group and four years later withdrew. In 2006, Ukraine and Azerbaijan announced plans to further increase the GUAM member relations and established its headquarters in the Ukrainian capital. GUAM plays an important role in ensuring regional security, as it contributes significantly to the development and strengthening of dialogue between countries in the region.

During his visit to Ukraine, the Georgian PM will also hold bilateral meetings and attend a business forum organized by the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Thea Morrison