The United States ambassadors from the GUUAM countries (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova) declared today that the purpose of the GUUAM organization is to maintain the sovereignty and independence of the five former Soviet republics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUMMIT IN YALTA FURTHER STRENGTHENS GUUAM COOPERATION

Washington, D.C. June 11, 2001 - - Presidents Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia, Vladymyr Voronin of Moldova, Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan and Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine met in Yalta, Ukraine, on June 6-7, 2001 to discus the present state and the prospects of cooperation within the framework of GUUAM. The leaders exchanged views on the development, effective functioning and safety of the transport communications infrastructure of their countries, including the transportation corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA).

The Presidents condemned all forms of separatism, nationalism, extremism and terrorism, and interference in internal affairs of the states as the main threats to peace, security and sustainable development. The Presidents re-affirmed their adherence to a peaceful resolution of conflicts in accordance with generally accepted norms and principles of international law.

In the course of the summit, the Presidents signed the Charter of GUUAM, which defines the key directions of multilateral cooperation, the goals and principles of the organization, the format and regularity of holding GUUAM summits.

The Convention on Assistance in Consular Matters signed by the leaders lays a legal foundation for cooperation between the GUUAM states in protecting the rights and interests of citizens and organizations of member states on the territories of third states. The Presidents also agreed to hold an Economic Forum of GUUAM states in Uzbekistan this year and their next summit in Yalta in 2002.

The Presidents noted that GUUAM is unique in its nature as it binds together five states united by common interests, steady economic links, similar or even identical views on the modern world and global processes. These states acknowledge the importance of mutual support and coordination of efforts in the age of globalization.

“The purpose of our organization is to facilitate the stability and prosperity zone in the territories of GUUAM states”, - said the host Leonid Kuchma, emphasizing the importance of strengthening trade and business ties between member-states.

Embassy contacts: Azerbaijan – Elin Suleymanov (202) 337-3500; Georgia - Mariam Zhgenti (202) 387-2390; Moldova – Andrei Popov (202) 6671130; Ukraine – Olesia Bozhko (202) 3330606; Uzbekistan – Ravshan Nazarkulov (202) 8875300.