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

MEETING OF GUUAM FOREIGN MINISTERS IN VIENNA

Washington, D.C. December 1, 2000 - Foreign Ministers of GUUAM countries adopted a Joint Communiquй following their meeting in Vienna, Austria, during the OSCE Ministerial this week. The meeting focused mainly on preparations for the upcoming GUUAM Summit of heads of states in Kiyv, Ukraine, to be held in early 2001. Various aspects of cooperation among member states were discussed as well. The Ministers discussed structuring of GUUAM and establishment of its Public Consultative Council. They expressed satisfaction with activities of the Committee of National Coordinators. A draft GUUAM Free Trade Zone agreement prepared by Georgia and a draft Consular Convention on the assistance to citizens of GUUAM countries in emergency situations elaborated by Ukraine were among issues taken into consideration.

GUUAM Foreign Ministers made a special note of their first joint meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressing their satisfaction with strengthening the GUUAM - US dialogue. They also agreed on their joint position at the OSCE Ministerial Council. Ministers welcomed the Council of Europe's invitation for Azerbaijan to join the organization and expressed their unanimous support for the candidature of the representative of Ukraine Mr. Boris Tarasyuk for the position of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.

Speaking at the Ministerial Council on behalf of GUUAM, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Vilayet Guliyev called upon OSCE to be more active in helping to resolve long-standing conflicts and in promoting principles of civil society in the regions concerned. Mr. Guliyev emphasized that cooperation among GUUAM member states contributes to achieving OSCE's main objectives and enhances stability in the region. He also highlighted developing Transport Corridor Asia-Caucasus-Europe (TRACECA – Silk Road project) as an unconditional priority for GUUAM’s future success.

Embassy contacts: Azerbaijan – Elin Suleymanov (202) 8420001; Georgia - Mariam Zhgenti (202) 387-2390; Moldova – Andrei Popov (202) 6671130; Ukraine – Olesia Bozhko (202) 3330606; Uzbekistan – Ravshan Nazarkulov (202) 8875300.