Poroshenko names Azerbaijan important strategic partner of Ukraine
By Laman Ismayilova
Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of Ukraine, said President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko as he met with heads of delegations of the Summit of the heads of government of the member-states of the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development in Kiev on March 27.
The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ismat Abasov, Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip, Azertac reported.
The Ukrainian president praised the results of the Summit that have a significant importance for the launch of the GUAM free trade area.
The parties praised the signature of the documents that will promote the development of the GUAM transport corridor as an important communication link between Europe and Asia, as well as open broad opportunities for the enhancement of economic ties between the countries of the organization.
The parties noted the necessity of enhancing cooperation with the international partners as a precondition for the intensification of economic dimension within the GUAM.
They also discussed the intensification of cooperation in the sphere of security, in the format of both the GUAM and the Eastern Partnership.
They particularly touched upon the establishment of the Regional Center of Eastern Partnership for the struggle against cybercrimes and coordination of interaction in the sphere of fighting terrorism.
The parties confirmed mutual support for sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of the states-participants of the GUAM.
The GUAM format was created by four post-Soviet states in 1997 during the summit of heads of states of the EU in Strasbourg. The member states of the organization are Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova. In 1999, Uzbekistan joined the format and four years later withdrew.
In 2006, Ukraine and Azerbaijan announced plans to further increase the GUAM member relations and established its headquarters in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
The GUAM plays an important role in ensuring regional security, as it contributes significantly to the development and strengthening of dialogue between the countries of the region.
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