Georgia, Tbilisi 11 March / Trend corr. N.Kirtskhalia / The statement by Moldova on the possible departure of the country from the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development -GUAM is an attempt by Russia to attract Moldova to Russia on the threshold of NATO summit in Bucharest in April, Nino Nakashidze, chairman of Georgian Euro integration Committee, stated.
"Provocative actions are specific for Moscow which has been demonstrated by the lifting of economic sanctions from Abkhazia and the unilateral departure from the CIS agreement," Nakashidze stated to Trend .
Moldova made statements that positive actions were observed by Russia in settling the conflict in Prednestrovye and Kishinev in its turn is prepared to turn down NATO and GUAM.
Vladimir Voronin, President of Moldova, stated in the interview to Kommersant newspaper, that Moldova may separate from GUAM.
Nakashidze believes that the regional cooperation plays a key role amongst GUAM countries.
"If GUAM is to collapse, the European Union will establish a new organization which will unite the member-countries of Neighborhood Policy Program," Nakashidze stated. " Russia will attempt to impose its influence on post-Soviet countries, like Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Azerbaijan before NATO summit in Bucharest.
Moldova's departure from GUAM is one of the demands of Russia, Alexander Palii, Ukrainian expert believes. "Within the framework of settlement of Prednestrovsk conflict Moldova, will make compromises, Palii, representative of Ukrainian Institute of Foreign Policy of Diplomatic Academy at the Foreign Ministry, stated to Trend .
The political scientist believes that there are attempts to weaken GUAM's position, which in turn weakens the international position of Ukraine. "Today, GUAM plays a significant perspective for transport and energy resources in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. But, Moldova does not have any connection with these perspectives," Palii said.
The GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development is a regional organization of four CIS states: Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova. A summit in Yalta on 6 June to 7 June 2001, was accompanied by the signing of GUAM's charter by the four existing members (and Uzbekistan, which later withdrew), which formalized the organization. The group is sometimes seen as a way of countering the influence of Russia in the area and as part of a strategy backed by the United States. However, GUAM leaders repeatedly and officially dismiss such claims and declare their strong willingness to develop close friendly relations with Russia. Moreover, Azerbaijan, the group's main energy power, has managed to avoid any controversies with Russia in recent years.
