Sabukhi Temirov, Deputy Secretary General, Organization for Democracy and Economic Development GUAM

Dear Forum participants, Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all, let me thank Forum organizers, Open Ukraine Foundation, for the invitation to participate in this event. All the issues raised for discussion are very important for GUAM states as they correspond to such an important area as energy cooperation field.

I would like to underline that the advantageous geographic position of the GUAM countries forming a natural bridge between Europe and rich in energy resources countries of Central Asia and Caspian region is one of the main conditions for development of energy transportation corridors and corresponding infrastructures.

Transport policy, transportation corridors and their development are of big importance for the GUAM countries. That is why the latest GUAM Summits were held under the mottos “GUAM – connecting continents” and “GUAM – integrating European East”. The Summit declarations showed determination of the GUAM states to widen cooperation aimed at strengthening democratic values, rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, achieving sustainable social and economic development and ensuring security in the region.

GUAM countries actively participate in enhancing global energy security by offering their territories for transporting energy carriers to world markets. Now, in our region, oil transportation project Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan and gas pipeline project Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum are successfully being implemented and are playing serious role in ensuring regional and European energy security. Construction of the railway Baku-Tbilisi-Kars that will be used for transporting oil products to European market is also worth mentioning. I would also like to underline that we are supporting the successful implementation of the project Baku-Supsa-Odesa-Brody-Plotsk-Gdansk.

We hope that cooperation in the energy area in the format “GUAM+…” will be reinforced. We undertake necessary steps for that. For example, the last meeting of GUAM working group on energy issues that took place in spring in Tbilisi was also attended by Japanese representatives interested in cooperation with GUAM in energy area. We plan to discuss the program on energy efficiency with our colleagues from Japan in December of 2008.

Growing energy demands of GUAM countries require strengthened cooperation in energy field. Taking into account the real situation, GUAM states are coordinating their activities in the process of strengthening energy security; in development of the pipeline network and other transportation infrastructure; and in uniting efforts for development and implementation of alternative energy sources projects.

I would like to stress, that implementation of the Strategy on Energy Cooperation of GUAM States should also play essential role here. This document defines energy-related cooperation goals and ways of their implementation. In other words, the Strategy on Energy Sectoral Cooperation is the action plan for the GUAM Working Group on energy issues.

I would like to specifically emphasize that Resolution of the GUAM Batumi Summit on strengthening energy cooperation obliged the GUAM states:

• to improve the activities of GUAM working groups in accordance with GUAM statute and regulatory documents; to reinforce implementation of GUAM programs and projects; to ensure implementation of the GUAM Strategy of Development of Sectoral Cooperation;
• to present a report on implementation of the GUAM Strategy of Development of Sectoral Cooperation during the next GUAM Summit.

All the decisions are aimed at reaching the following goals:

• defining the new perspective routes for energy resources delivery;
• developing energy security programs of the GUAM countries;
• strengthening cooperation on development of alternative energy sources;
• decreasing dependency of the GUAM countries on imported energy carriers.

Successful achievement of these goals depends on partnership between the state and private sectors. GUAM countries are evidently interested in achieving these goals, which is proven by all the ratified documents. Therefore, political will of our states is defining issue here.

I would also like to inform you that GUAM Secretariat office has finally been built. Its technical capacity will enable us to communicate in the real time mode, to hold interactive dialogues and video conferences. This mechanism will allow us to reinforce our activities within the framework of working groups. Now we are considering increase of the quantity of working group meetings to four per annum. We are hopeful that this will enhance the dialogue between all the interested parties, and will enable us to analyze new opportunities for cooperation, to actively cooperate with external partners and to develop new projects.

GUAM countries support the energy supply diversification policy and are interested in developing branched pipeline infrastructure. We also pay close attention to the requirements of producer, transit and consumer countries, as balanced interests of these parties can assure achievement of our goals. Thank you!

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