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GUAM Secretariat inaugurated in Kyiv

27 February 2009 08:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Lachin Sultanovaâ€“APA. An official opening ceremony of GUAM Secretariat has been held in Kyiv, APA reports.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ogryzko addressing the meeting attended by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov assessed the ceremony as an important event in the history of Ukraine.
â€œThis is a first international headquarters of organization in Ukraine,â€ he said. Ogryzko said that construction of headquarters in the center of Kyiv is of symbolic character. To him, Ukraine is proud of opening of GUAM Secretariat. He stated that opening of Secretariat means that GUAM is an international organization. Minister expressed his gratitude to GUAM member countriesâ€™ Foreign Ministers for cooperation in programs realized within the framework of GUAM and provided information about new programs, as well as projects on development of tourism. GUAM Secretary General Valery Chechelashvili stated that one of the main successes of the organization was establishment of free trade zone.
Kelly Ryan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State noted that the US would support GUAM. He noted that the organization contributed to realization of legitimacy and democracy in member countries. The diplomat stated that the US and GUAM would cooperate henceforth and realize projects to ensure security of borders.