The Heads of State of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of
Moldova and Ukraine,
Guided by the purposes and principles, enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations, universally recognized norms and principles of international law,
provisions of the fundamental documents of the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe, the Yalta Charter and the Chisinau and the Kyiv Declarations
of GUAM,
Proceeding from adherence to democratic values and aspirations advance further
on the way to European and Euroatlantic integration,
Emphasizing the ever growing role of regional cooperation based on mutual
respect of the sovereign rights of the states in Pan-European integration
processes,
Stressing that such cooperation facilitates advancement of democracy, strengthening
of regional and international security and deepening of economic and commercial
ties,
Reaffirming the necessity to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity
and internationally recognized borders of states, as one of the pillars of
maintenance of international security,
Reaffirming also the necessity to develop democracy and respect of human rights
and fundamental freedoms, including persons belonging to national or ethnic
minorities, with the purposes of maintaining peace and security, strengthening
the spirit of tolerance, ascertaining values of cultural diversity and peaceful
co-existence of various ethnic communities within the internationally recognized
borders of states,
Recognizing that unresolved conflicts and illegal military presence on the
territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova
undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence
of these states, impede implementation of full-scale democratic reforms and
achievement of sustainable development, jeopardize regional security, negatively
impact pan-European integration processes and challenge the entire international
community,
Expressing deep concern with regard to increasing security threats emerging
from conflict zones, including international terrorism, aggressive separatism,
extremism, organized crime and other related dangerous phenomena,
Being deeply concerned of continuing people’s sufferings resulting from conflicts
and their destructive consequences,
Drawing attention of the international community to the need of conflict-affected
states for assistance in restoration of the infrastructure destroyed by military
action,
Reaffirming that the root causes of conflicts are multi-faceted by their character
and therefore, require comprehensive, complex and stepwise approach to their
settlement,
Acknowledging the necessity to intensify conflict settlement efforts and calling
upon the states and international and regional arrangements and institutions
to further facilitate, within their competence, the processes of settlement
of conflicts in the GUAM area,
1. Declare that settlement of conflicts on the territories of the GUAM States
shall be carried out exclusively on the basis of respect to sovereignty, territorial
integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of these
states, and is one of the priority objectives of cooperation within GUAM.
2. Stress that the territory of a state may not be a subject of acquisition
or military occupation, resulting from the threat or use of force in breach
of the relevant norms of international law. No territorial acquisitions and
the resulting self-declared entities may be recognized as legal under any
circumstances whatsoever.
3. Remind in this regard about the obligation of states of non-interference
with the affairs of any other state and non-exertion of military, political,
economic or any other pressure thereupon.
4. Underscore the lack of prospects and malignancy of separatism and disintegration,
the incompatibility of the use of force and the practice of ethnic cleansing
and territorial seizures with the universal and European values, the principles
and ideals of peace, democracy, stability and regional cooperation.
5. Stress in this context the importance of consolidation of efforts of the
GUAM States and the international community to settle conflicts on their territories
by means of re-integration of uncontrolled territories into the states that
they are part of, return of forcibly displaced population to the areas of
permanent residency and ensuring peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups
within the internationally recognized borders of the states, development of
civil society, restoration of destroyed infrastructure on these territories,
and also, use of communications to the benefit of all parties.
6. Especially emphasize the importance of demilitarization of conflict zones
and establishment of security in these zones with the help of multinational
peacemaking forces deployed therein under UN or OSCE auspices for providing
conditions for return of population and peaceful coexistence of ethnic communities.
7. Believe that the status of self-rule for the communities constituting the
population of uncontrolled territories that will create the necessary conditions
for effective exercise of their rights to equal participation in administration
of state affairs, including through formation of legitimate regional authorities
at all levels, can be determined exclusively within the legal and democratic
process.
8. Welcome the efforts of international community and stress the importance
of providing support to GUAM States in the development and implementation
of a comprehensive and consistent strategy for conflict settlement based on
the above mentioned principles, including short-term and long-term measures
aimed at the achievement and maintenance of lasting peace, security and sustainable
development.
9. Entrust the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs with the task to develop
concrete measures and steps with the purpose of implementation of provisions
of this Declaration.
Kyiv, 23 May 2006