Azernews.Az

The United States calls on Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova - members of the GUAM group - to conduct democratic reforms, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse has said.
She told a conference on the GUAM development strategy in Baku last week that these efforts would speed up European integration of the regional alliance's countries. Moreover, Washington believes that advancing democratic values would particularly contribute to regional security.
"Embracing democratic values, the conduct of democratic reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration is the best way to bolster the independence, security and progress in the states located in this region," the ambassador said.
She emphasized that GUAM's role in issues of regional and worldwide scale has increased. A free trade zone is being established within the organization and GUAM plays a great role in global energy security. All this also represents the goals of the United States, and Washington is currently considering implementation of programs within GUAM that would advance the standards accepted across Europe.
Derse noted that regional security hinged on the peaceful resolution of the conflicts flaring in the group's member states. "We will therefore continue our efforts in this area jointly with the OSCE."
The envoy went on to say that the U.S. would allocate $700,000 for the development of GUAM. The funds will be channeled into the organization's structural development including strengthening its logistics and boosting the application of information communication technologies. The activities also include creating GUAM's digital video system that would allow holding interactive conferences in the group's member states. A GUAM website is to be developed soon as well.
GUAM Secretary General Valeri Chechelashvili said the two-day conference focused on three key issues - a project on building a railway to link the GUAM states, the establishment of free trade zones in the GUAM territory and a center to jointly combat organized crime.
Touching on economic cooperation among GUAM countries, Chechelashvili said it was taking on a new meaning in a globalizing world. "For this reason the organization's member states have set out a goal to create a competitive economic zone."
He said that as GUAM's influence increases, it will be possible to implement large-scale projects in the Caspian and Black Sea regions.
Chechelashvili emphasized that the trade turnover among GUAM states will reach $10 billion in the next three years.
"Our relations are expanding. As a result of this, the turnover among the four countries is expected to increase to $4 billion by the year-end."
The secretary general said one of the primary targets was to set up a GUAM bank. Talks are under way on the issue with banking experts.
Chechelashvili said the idea is welcomed by GUAM states, adding that establishing the bank was pivotal for GUAM's financing its own projects. The financial institution could be established within the next two years.