Azernews.Az

By Sara Israfilbayova

The 10th session of the GUAM, a regional organization uniting Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, Parliamentary Assembly (PA) kicked off on December 17 in Tbilisi.

The meeting discusses the common approach to regional security, the fight against cross-border crimes, and the strengthening of joint efforts for a sustainable future.

The two-day session is attended by the head of the delegation of the Azerbaijani Parliament in PA GUAM Azer Karimli, MP Ali Masimli, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Georgia and other officials.

Addressing the session, Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze said that the protracted conflicts in the GUAM member countries hamper the development of the region.

He went on to say that peace and security problems within the framework of GUAM have not been fully achieved.

“The issue of territorial integrity remains topical. It will be impossible to fully realize the potential of the region without addressing these problems. There is a great need for the support of the international community in this area,” added Georgia’s top diplomat.

Janelidze stressed that GUAM has become a reliable partner in the region and beyond.

“Joint priorities for economic development in the future, political consolidation and cooperation among peoples have been defined within the framework of the organization,” he said.

Within the framework of the annual session, a joint statement will be adopted, the main emphasis of which will be on the need to work together to address problems related to territorial integrity.

In addition, a meeting of members of the GUAM PA Bureau with members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly will be held.

A final declaration is expected to be adopted at the end of the session, which will last until December 19.

Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM is a regional organization established in 1997. The charter of the organization was signed in 2001, the statute-in 2006.

The GUAM main goals are strengthening of democratic values, ensuring the supremacy of law and respect for human rights; ensuring sustainable development; strengthening international and regional security and stability; deepening European integration for the creation of a common security space and the enlargement of economic and humanitarian cooperation; developing of socio-economic, transport, energy, scientific, technical and humanitarian potential; stimulating of political interaction and practical cooperation in fields of mutual interest.

The structure of the Organization includes the Council and the Secretariat. The Council is the major body of the Organization. It conducts its work at the levels of Heads of State (Summit), Foreign Ministers, National Coordinators and Permanent Representatives.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the GUAM was established in 2004 which includes three committees: political; trade and economic; science, culture and education.

GUAM Member States cooperate at the level of international organizations, in particular, the UN and the OSCE. GUAM was granted observer status in the UN General Assembly in 2003.

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