Kuleba outlines five priorities of Ukraine’s GUAM presidency

"I am grateful to the Mdovan presidency this year and count on the support for Ukraine's presidency in 2023. Even defending itself against full-scale Russian aggression, Ukraine is determined to take decisive and productive leadership in GUAM next year," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated at the GUAM ministerial meeting via video link on Tuesday, December 20, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The minister outlined five priorities of Ukraine's presidency, in particular: sovereignty and territorial integrity of GUAM member states; creation of new economic portunities and develment of trade between Eurean and Asian markets; progress toward the full functioning of the free trade area; interaction with the Eurean Commission regarding the GUAM Transport Corridor; simplification of customs procedures and introduction of a comprehensive approach to documents for transportation within the GUAM Transport Corridor.

"We also count on the member states’ support in depriving the Russian language of the status of GUAM official and working language," he said.

Ukraine’s t diplomat suggested strengthening not only economic but also security partnership within the framework of GUAM and called for joint efforts to implement the Peace Formula presented by President of Ukraine Vodymyr Zelensky.

"All our countries are existentially interested in the victory of Ukraine. The rest of the scenarios will pose a threat. Russia's appetites are not limited to Ukraine; they would go further if they could. But no one is interested in a new frozen conflict either. Our countries know all too well what this means. It's time to put an end to Russian imperialism. We must eliminate this threat not only for Ukraine but also for the entire region and the world. Ukraine is able to do this with the steady support of our partners," Kuleba summed up.