Unofficial translation
On 3 and
The participants of the meeting,
taking into account the ongoing processes of development of international
relations, as well as taking into account the emerging new tasks in this
regard, reaffirmed their readiness to undertake consistent and coordinated
efforts to support and strengthen peace, regional security, stability and
prosperity on the basis of norms and principles of international law. To this
end, they have agreed to activate their cooperation in combating terrorism,
separatism, ethnic hatred, extremism and other challenges to international
security. They underlined the urgent need for soonest possible settlement of
ongoing conflicts on the basis of norms and principles of international law, as
well as adherence to sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The
Parties also underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation to
consolidate economic, energy, transport and information components of security
of GUUAM States.
The participants of the meeting
noted with satisfaction that during the last year the Association reached a new
stage of interaction, which includes implementation of tangible projects and
programs in priority spheres of cooperation, including those with participation
of third states and international organizations.
The participants of the meeting also
noted that today the necessary mechanisms have been created within GUUAM to
ensure successful cooperation in each sphere.
In this regard, the role of CNC and
inter-branch workgroups was specially noted. The Parties commended the activity
of workgroups during the last year and appointment of coordinating countries;
they also supported soonest possible approval of branch programs of cooperation
on that basis.
The participants of the meeting
underlined that presently the strengthening of GUUAM economic component
represents one of the most important tasks of the Association. In that context,
the agreements reached in the field of establishment of Free Trade Area were
discussed. It was noted that entry of the relevant agreement into force will
allow implementation of practical steps towards mutual liberalization of trade
regimes and gradual removal of existing barriers preventing implementation of
free trade principles based on internationally recognized norms.
The Parties have agreed that the
main task of cooperation within the Association with regard to development of
transportation corridors should be creation of more attractive conditions for
transportation within GUUAM region through development of transport networks,
decreasing travel time, simplification of relevant procedures and ensuring
transparency for all participants of transportation process, as well as ensuring
secure conditions of transportation and travel along those corridors.
The bilateral documents in the field
of border and customs control and trade and transportation facilitation, which
were signed during the
The Participants reiterated their
high estimation of prospects of the Euro-Asia oil transportation corridor
project implementation in a framework of the concept of multiple routes of
transportation of the Caspian energy resources to the world markets.
The participants of the meeting
underlined the importance of activation of the fight against illegal
trafficking in drugs, human beings and arms, organized crime and money
laundering.
In this regard, they welcomed the signature of the Agreement on
Establishment of the
The discussion of interaction of GUUAM States in the
cultural/humanitarian sphere showed that this sphere should obtain additional
impetus, including impetus for the purposes of implementation of
Europe-Caucasus-Asia cultural corridor project.
The participants of the meeting noted the ongoing improvement of GUUAM
institutional basis. They positively assessed the establishment of the Business
Council of GUUAM Participating States and urged to activate its activity, as
well as to develop contacts with business institutions of other international
organizations and regional initiatives.
Recognizing the need for legislative support of implementation of GUUAM
projects and programs of cooperation, the Parties discussed in that regard the
realization of the initiative to establish GUUAM Parliamentary Assembly, and
noted the importance of continued work on development of parliamentary
dimension of Association’s work.
The participants of the meeting have recognized that the legal base of
GUUAM needed further broadening and improvement; the legal base is to
effectively regulate priority spheres of activity of the Association. In that
regard, they noted the importance of soonest possible completion of domestic
procedures needed for entry into force of the documents signed.
The Participants underlined that taking into account the practice of
regional organizations functioning, enhancement of activities of the GUUAM
Information office will contribute a lot to the implementation of concrete
projects and programs of cooperation and agreed to consider in practical terms
the issue of its function widening aimed at creation of the GUUAM Secretariat
on its basis.
The Parties noted with satisfaction the growing interest in GUUAM
activity by the world community, which resulted in participation of numerous
representatives of foreign states and international organizations in the work
of the
In the context of development of international cooperation of GUUAM, the
Parties instructed the GUUAM Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs to work over the possibility to obtain UN General Assembly
observer status, and declared GUUAM’s readiness for
establishment of partnership with interested countries, international and
regional organizations and initiatives, according to the approved decisions and
procedures of GUUAM.
The participants of the meeting noted the high level
of cooperation with the
It was agreed to convene the next GUUAM Summit in the year 2004.