Opening the conference, former national Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski emphasized that development of cooperation within GUUAM is not directed against anyone, but rather provides an opportunity for the member-states to enhance their independence.

Frederick Starr, Chairman of the Central Asia – Caucasus Institute, highlighted the vital importance of adequate American support for the future successes of GUUAM.

According to Marshall Billingslea, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations staff member, after the Yalta summit, GUUAM states should deepen the process of institutionalization by establishing functional joint institutions and introducing more joint initiatives.

General William Odom of the Hudson Institute’s program on National Security Studies said that his confidence in GUUAM was strengthened by the group’s successful recent summit in Yalta, Ukraine. He stressed the importance of concrete projects among the member-states and the need to establish institutional dialogue with other multilateral organizations, such as the UN, EU and the Council of Europe.

John Tedstrom, a RAND representative, emphasized the importance of GUUAM’s adherence to Western and European standards. He suggested a number of projects to be pursued by GUUAM.

Paul Goble, Director of Communications, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, called for rejection of the “mental map, according to which countries of the region are still seen within the geographic limits of the former USSR.” Cooperation within GUUAM, according to him, provides an opportunity for the member –states to act and be perceived as “normal countries.”

Addressing the conference, Georgia’s Ambassador Tedo Japaridze stated: “GUUAM is a constituent part of Georgia’s independence.” Describing cooperation within GUUAM as a strategic one, Ambassador Japaridze named enhancing economic, energy, environmental, and territorial security of the member-states among the group’s main priorities.

Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko of Ukraine reiterated his country’s commitment to expanding partnership within GUUAM, especially in the area of energy cooperation. The Ambassador expressed his support for the U.S. Government’s new approach, according to which the term “Newly Independent States” is not being used anymore and called for a high-profile U.S. official visit to the GUUAM countries.

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Shavkat Khamrakulov emphasized the importance of GUUAM cooperation for promoting the Silk Road Transportation Corridor (TRACECA). Uzbekistan views development of this corridor and other Europe-Caucasus-Asia transportation corridors as fundamental for economic progress of the entire Caucasus–Central Asia region. Ambassador Khamrakulov reiterated Tashkent’s commitment to GUUAM’s efforts in the areas of anti-terrorism and prevention of drug trafficking.

Azerbaijani Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev also welcomed the changes in the US Government’s structure, which “followed GUUAM’s example by joining together Europe and Eurasia.” Describing GUUAM as “a very important part of geo-political equation,” Ambassador Pashayev said that from its inception the group represented a political, security and economic alliance designed to strengthen its members’ independence and sovereignty.

In his remarks, Mr. Vsevolod Grigore, Counselor at the Embassy of Moldova, underscored the importance of economic cooperation and regional projects within GUUAM as well as joint border control programs. He also highlighted the significance of the recently-signed Yalta Charter as a document based on the supremacy of international law.