Azerbaijan expected to chair GUAM summit

"The summit of GUAM leaders may be held under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan next year", said GUAM Secretary General Valery Chichelashvili.

Attending the meeting of GUAM tourism ministers in Tbilisi, the Secretary General said that establishing of peacekeeping forces was not on GUAM’s agenda. It has different reasons: "Moldova states that according to its Constitution Moldova is a neutral country and that’s why it can’t participate in any military force. GUAM has a principle – to work in quartet. If any country doesn’t take interest in the project, we don’t put it on agenda. Therefore peacekeeping forces are not on our agenda".

The Secretary General also answered the question about the schedule of GUAM summit. "Moldova is chairing GUAM now. The country has not elected its president yet. Due to the development of situation in this country, if the presidential elections take place, I hope that the newly-elected president will consider the opportunities of holding the summit. I know exactly that GUAM’s main institution – the Council of Ministers will hold three meetings this year. Regarding the summit, I would say that if it doesn’t take place during the Moldova’s chairmanship, I hope Azerbaijan will chair the summit next year".


/APA/