The plenary meeting of the GUAM Heads of Government held in Kiev decided to develop a common transport corridor that would connect the four countries to the main Asian markets and considered the possibility of creating a free trade zone between the four GUAM member states – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, Prime Minister Ion Chicu announced on his return from the neighboring state, IPN reports.

The official said that at the economic forum held in Kiev, business entities from the four states requested the government authorities to intensify the economic and commercial relations and to finalize and implement the Free Trade Agreement.

“The combination of political forces at international level to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the member states that all face similar problems was an important moment in the discussions that formed part of the GUAM agenda. The presidency of GUAM in 2020 will be taken over by Azerbaijan. Among the main priorities of the next year’s presidency is the development of the economic and commercial relations. This state is ready to formulate consistent proposals in this regard,” stated Premier Chicu.

According to him, the Prime Ministers of the GUAM member states on December 12 had a meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who also expressed his country’s interest in extending economic cooperation within GUAM. They also discussed bilateral issues. “The Ukrainian partners expressed their readiness to make headway in the mutually advantageous dialogue based on principles of respect between our states,” said the Prime Minister.

GUAM is a regional initiative that promotes the development of cooperation between the four member states so as to enhance stability and security in Europe.