Page 17 - DIVA_4_2007_No.31

A;M BAKU

Second Summit of GUAM in Baky, Azerbaijan (June, 2007)

Moldova. human rights and funda- expanding trade and eco- main bodies of the
mental freedoms. The nomic relations; develop- Organization.
Since 1997, being a natural Presidents also emphasized ment and effective use of
and voluntary association of the importance of coopera- transport and communica- Coordination of coopera-
like-minded states GUAM tion between the four tion arteries in the interests tion between GUAM
has successfully passed nations in establishing a of the GUAM states with its Member States in various
through various tests and Eurasian, Trans-Caucasus corresponding infrastructure fields has been envisaged
proved its strong viability transportation corridor, located in their territories; through seven working
and practical relevance. considering joint actions strengthening of regional groups on: energy; trans-
Throughout 10 years taken in this direction as a security; developing rela- port; trade and economic
GUAM has transformed sound foundation for fos- tions in the fields of science development; information
into a full-fledged interna- tering friendship and co- and culture and in the technologies and telecom-
tional organization with a operation, goodneighborly humanitarian spheres; coop- munication; culture, science
distinct eration within international and education; tourism;
relations and full utilization
identity
devoted to democracy and of existing economic organizations; combating combating terrorism, organ-
terrorism,
economic development. opportunities. international ized crime and drug traf-
GUAM established strong organized crime and drug ficking. The decision on
cooperative and mutually The first GUAM Summit, trafficking. creation of the GUAM
beneficial ties with the which took place on 7 June Information Office in Kyiv
partner states and other 2001 in Yalta, marked a Fundamentals of the to carry out the functions of
international bodies in broad crucial landmark in its GUAM organizational the Secretariat of the
range of fields. formation and institutional- structure have fixed the Organization was adopted
ization as an international existing mechanisms of as well.
In the Communiqué adopted structure. Yalta Charter of cooperation among the
in 1997 the four states GUAM determined the Member States, which More than 20 multilateral
stressed the necessity of purposes, principles and proved its efficiency in prac- agreements have been con-
developing the quadrilateral directions of cooperation tice. According to the Yalta cluded within GUAM.
cooperation for promoting among the participating Charter, annual meeting of These documents serve as a
stability and strengthening states. the heads of the GUAM par- legal basis for the establish-
security in Europe on the ticipating states (supreme ment of a free trade zone as
basis of principles of respect The main purposes of coop- body), Council of Ministers well as cooperation
for sovereignty, territorial eration formulated in Yalta of Foreign Affairs (execu- between the transport, law
integrity, inviolability of Charter include promoting tive body) and Committee enforcement, border and
state borders, democracy, social and economic devel- of National Coordinators customs authorities etc.
rule of law and respect for opment; strengthening and (working body), were the

42007 Diva 15

d i v nternational.