AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE
(THE GUAM COUNTRIES) REITERATE THEIR INTENT FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION

Heads of delegations of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine participating in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, met on October 5, 1998 addressing a range of economic, political and security issues of common concern.

The delegations’ heads noted the importance of cooperation among the four states in areas of economic and financial stabilization against the background of the recent aggravation of the world economic crisis and expressed their concern over the increased challenges and threats to global as well as regional stability and security. The parties stated their mutual support in overcoming the negative impact of the recent crisis on their national economies and bilateral commercial and economies ties.

The delegations’ heads underlined that the G7’s assistance in curbing the crisis consequences in their economies, as well as deepening and widening cooperation with international financial organizations, such as IMF and the World Bank, represent major factors for economic stabilization and provide clear directions for the settlement of the existing social and economic difficulties.

The four sides confirmed their commitment to the continuation of economic reforms aimed at developing democratic society, free market and active integration of their countries into global economy.

The participants in the meeting noted the importance of the further development of quadrilateral cooperation, particularly, in creating the Eurasian Transportation Corridor, which is seen not solely as a means of extending their economic cooperation, but also as an important factor of strengthening economic and political sovereignty of the states.

Special importance of settling all the issues related to the development of oil and gas resources of the Caspian Sea region and creation of a multiple pipelines transportation system to the world markets was emphasized. The participants reiterated their commitment to mutual cooperation in providing security of transport communications.

Participants to the meeting emphasized positive results of their quadrilateral cooperation within the OSCE framework and agreed on the necessity of further cooperation in the framework of other international organizations.

The heads of the delegations stressed that continuing conflicts present a serious obstacle for regional cooperation and confirmed the readiness of their states to join efforts in soonest peaceful conflict resolution based on observance of the territorial integrity principle.

The GUAM group expressed its concern over the increasing occurrence of acts of terror and violence which are aimed not only against individuals and undermine sovereignty and independence of states, but also threaten the entire world community and therefore should be treated as crimes against humanity. Heads of the four delegations confirmed their willingness to work together with all states and international organizations on the settlement of this serious problem.