On September 18, the 67th meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM took place, attended by Ukraine’s National Coordinator, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Olexandr Mischenko.
While discussing the situation in the Organization’s Member States, Olexandr Mischenko reported on the ongoing Russian armed aggression against Ukraine and expressed gratitude to the Member States for the assistance provided and their contribution to strengthening our state's resilience. The Deputy Minister highlighted, in particular, the provision of generators, transformers, and other energy equipment; support for the restoration of energy and social infrastructure, including schools and hospitals; assistance with humanitarian demining and the recovery of affected territories; as well as the implementation of humanitarian, health, and rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian children.
Addressing the Organization's activities, the Ukrainian representative emphasized the importance of intensifying sectoral cooperation. At the same time, Olexandr Mischenko drew attention to the need to more fully utilize the potential of ODED-GUAM to respond to regional challenges, strengthen the Organization's capabilities, and provide political impetus for the further development of dialogue and practical cooperation among Member States.
The Deputy Minister called on Member States to complete the process of appointing a new GUAM Secretary General in accordance with the Organization's statutory documents and reiterated the proposal to the Azerbaijani Chairmanship to urgently convene a meeting of the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of GUAM Member States.
Separately, the Ukrainian Side informed the National Coordinators about the status of preparations for the signing of the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM regarding the Secretariat of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM.