Prague, October 22, 2007 - Today's reception in Prague marked 10th anniversary of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development-GUAM uniting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

HE Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, high-ranking representatives of various state agencies, including President's Office, Senate and Chamber of Deputies, Government Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Ambassadors and other members of diplomatic community operating in Prague attended the event held in Prague's Radisson SAS hotel.

Delivering opening address HE Tahir Taghizadeh, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, stated that despite establishment date of GUAM is being considered October 10, 1997 when GUAM consultative forum was instituted, cooperation among the four states dates back to 1996 CFE Treaty Vienna Conference. Adding that 2006 Kyiv Summit transformed GUAM group into full-fledged regional organization known as Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, he stressed that "GUAM activities has never been directed against third countries as addressing common challenges faced by Member-States lies at the heart of the organization".

Underlining unresolved Nagorno Karabakh (Azerbaijan), Abkhazia and South Osetia (Georgia), as well as Transnistria (Moldova) conflicts as major impediments on the path of regional integration and development of GUAM countries, Azerbaijani Ambassador expressed hope existing within the Organization that through combining efforts and the support of international community the Member-States will be able to resolve these conflicts peacefully, on the basis of the principles of international law and their territorial integrity.

Touching upon "GUAM +" format, Mr. Taghizadeh emphasized "GUAM-US, GUAM-Japan and GUAM-Poland formats as signs of firm support to the activities of GUAM, emboldening its Members to advance in developing and expanding GUAM". Azerbaijani Ambassador concluded his address with praising Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus for his proposal to set up within the EU the Group of GUAM Friends made at the October 10, 2007 Vilnius Summit, as a positive step that could advance existing relationship between the EU and the GUAM.

At the end the press-release containing historic background of GUAM, as well as its objectives was distributed among participants of the reception.