GUAM (Republic of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Republic of Moldova) - Canada joint press release

December 10, 2018 - Milan, Italy - Global Affairs Canada

First meeting of the GUAM Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs - Canada on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s 25th Ministerial Council

“On December 6, 2018, the ministers of foreign affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada on the occasion of the meeting of the GUAM Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs in Milan, Italy.

“The Sides exchanged opinions on a wide range of issues on the international agenda pertaining to the maintenance of peace and stability on the continent. The Sides underlined the positive role played by GUAM as an important regional stakeholder in the Caspian-Black Sea region, bridging Europe and Asia. They expressed common concern over the grave security and humanitarian consequences of the unresolved conflicts in Europe. The Sides also expressed concern over the grave incident in the Azov Sea and called for the immediate release of Ukrainian sailors and ships.

“Canada welcomed the ongoing program activities in the fields of economy, infrastructure and security under implementation in the frame of GUAM. The Sides spoke of the possibility of initiating a GUAM-Canada cooperation program, facilitating transformation of the region into a zone of peace, stability and sustainable development. In this context, the Sides shared views on the opportunities for cooperation in the fields of mutual interest, including a GUAM transport corridor, trade and investment and the creation of a free-trade zone.

“The ministers underscored the importance of consolidated international efforts with the aim of achieving the quickest peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the GUAM area based on the fundamental norms and principles of international law: in particular, respect for sovereignty; the territorial integrity of the GUAM member states; the UN Charter, UN Security Council and UN General Assembly resolutions; and the Helsinki Final Act were emphasized.

“As an outcome of the meeting, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the GUAM ministers adopted this GUAM-Canada joint press release.

“The time and venue of the next GUAM-Canada meeting will be decided through diplomatic channels.”