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The Hague International Model United Nations Qatar 2015 | 3 – 6 February 2014
Forum:
General Assembly 1
Issue:
Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan
Moldova) and their implications for international peace and security.
Student Officer: Shanthanu Rao
Position:
Head Chair THIMUN Qatar 2015
Introduction
The Soviet Union lasted between 1922 and 1991, the post soviet era resulted in some areas now
facing conflict. These are now known as 'frozen conflicts' of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova
(GUAM). The GUAM charter was signed in 2001 in the Yalta summit of 2001. It was signed by four of
the current members and Uzbekistan which withdrew later. Summit was held in Yalta on the 7th of June
in 2005, it was signed by Head of States who fixed objectives, principles, and directions of the
cooperation between the participating states. Over the course of the last 15 years of conflict it is
estimated that upwards of 16 million people have been affected. The geographical disputes and friction
has resulted in strained diplomacy between nations of the GUAM zone. It is seasons such as these have
forced Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova to establish the GUAM group.Since first
established in 1995 the GUAM group works on the economic, political and strategic alliances working
towards development and security in the GUAM region. The group was tested recently with Russia's
military intervention in post-Euromaidan Ukraine. With the independence of Kosovo the GUAM Group
had to redefine and modify their policy to an extent. Taking into account the Russian led Commonwealth
of Independent States (CIS), GUAM is sometimes ought to be seen as a way to counter the Russian
influence in the area. But GUAM leaders constantly dismiss these claims, and claim to be willingly to
develop close relations with Russia.
Some issues that have been caused include the 2005 conflict where GUAM countries had a
common stance on several issues in the CIS Foreign Ministers council that was held in Moscow.
Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia lodged complains against the discretion imposed by Russia against their
national products. At that very same time four of the GUAM countries made a proposal to discuses the
frozen conflicts Another issue that has been associated by GUAM is the competition between the
various proposed transportation corridors to link Europe with Asia. Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia have
been through multiple negations on their plans, the North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC)
neighboring countries Armenia no longer being a member have also expressed enthusiasm. This
corridor would be along the borders of Russia and the Baltic states and the Europe Union (EU) and will
continue to follow through Ukraine.
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The Hague International Model United Nations 2011 | 23 – 28 of January 2011 Definition of Key Terms
Reform
Reform is to make changes to a social or political institution. In terms of the question reform is the
change to the UN Structure, and policies and it concerns implementation of new strategies and
policies.
Frozen conflict
In terms of international affairs a frozen conflict is situation where active armed conflict has been
halted, but there is no peace treaty or any other type of political framework in place which resolves
the conflict.
Protracted conflict
Countries in protracted conflict would be those countries with environments in which significant
proportion of the population is acutely vulnerable to death, disease, and disruption of livelihoods
over a prolonged period of time.
GUAM
The GUAM charter was signed in 2001 in the Yalta summit of 2001. It was signed by four of the
current members and Uzbekistan which withdrew later, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova Summit
was held in Yalta on the 7th of June in 2005, it was signed by Head of States who fixed objectives,
principles, and directions of the cooperation between the participating states.
Treaties
A treaty is a written formal agreement between states and or international organisations. The
subjects of treaties span over a large spectrum from international relations, to immigration to
human rights to reparations.
International peace and security
The charter of the United Nations states in chapter one article one that the purposes of the UN is to
maintain international peace and security. World peace is the idea of freedom, happiness and
peace among all nations and their people and International security is the ensured mutual survival
and safety amongst countries.
Background Information
In October 1997 Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova started the GUAM consultive forum.
Later in 1998 the organization changed their name to GUUAM due to the new membership of
Uzbekistan. However in 2002 Uzbekistan expressed plans to withdraw from the organization and
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The Hague International Model United Nations Qatar 2015 | 3 – 6 February 2014
following this announcement they started to ignore GUUAM meetings and summits, later in May of 2005
Uzbekistan finally withdrew from GUAM officially. In May of 2006 Ukraine and Azerbaijan announced
places to increase the GUAM members relations by renaming the organization to GUAM organization for
Democracy and Economic Development and further by establishing the head quarters in the capital of
Ukraine. All the other members though of this to be a remarkable step in the development of the
organization.
In 2005 the GUAM countries came onto a common front on several issues in the CIS Foreign Ministers
Council that was held in Moscow. George and Moldova logged complaints against the restriction
imposed by Russia about some of their national products. At that very same time the four GUAM
members proposed to discuses the frozen conflicts of Abkhazia, Transnistria, and South Ossetia (in
which separatist forces were Russia supported) and Nagorno-Karabakh. Finally the three other GUAM
countries decided to support Ukraine's proposal to consider Holodomor as a genocide. Another issue
that has been associated by GUAM is the competition between the various proposed transportation
corridors to link Europe with Asia. Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia have been through multiple negations on
their plans, the North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) neighboring countries Armenia no longer
being a member have also expressed enthusiasm. This corridor would be along the borders of Russia
and the Baltic states and the Europe Union (EU) and will continue to follow through Ukraine.
Major Countries and Organizations Involved
Georgia
The 2008 Georgia Russia Conflict. Tension has existed between Georgia and Russian since the Soviet
Union has broke up, but tensions between Georgia and Russia. The trigger to the whole conflict started
out with South Ossetia separatists and the Georgian military have a conflict. From there Georgia then
began a military offensive into South Ossetia to restore constitutional order in the region. Russia then
retaliated; Georgia then pulled their troupes out to arrange for a ceasefire with Russia.
Ukraine
In present times a fragile ceasefire has been placed in east Ukraine, but protracted conflicts kill and
wound civilians and on top of that they deprive more then five million residents in these areas directly
with violence and their most basic human rights. Nearly 40,000 small and medium business in the
Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine have very little revenue being generated because of the
fighting, leaving thousands without income.
Azerbaijan
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The Hague International Model United Nations 2011 | 23 – 28 of January 2011 The Armenian and Azerbaijani War started after the Russian Revolution, these started in the 1918 but
continued till the 1920s. The tensions resulted in many deaths, and were over religious and ethical
conflicts. Eventually a treaty called the Treaty of Kars had been signed.
Moldova
The political situation has become very complex in more recent times in Moldova. They are being faced
with a negation over a position between the European Union and Russia. Especially after the resignation
of former Prime Minister Vladimir Filat, the in-house situation has been ever changing.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan joined the GUAM Organization for Democray and Economic Development in 1999, but later
withdrew in 2005. In 2002 Uzbekistan expressed plans to withdraw from the organization and following
this announcement they started to ignore GUUAM meetings and summits, later in May of 2005
Uzbekistan finally withdrew from GUAM officially.
Timeline of Events
•
“Agreement among Governments of member-states of the Organization for democracy and
economic development – GUAM – on international multimodal transportation of goods (19 June
2007)
•
Agreement on Establishment of the Business Council of GWAM Participating States (entry into
force 20 July 2002)
•
•Protocol on Cooperation in the Field of Culture of GUUAM Participating States for 2002-2005
(20th July 2002)
•
Protocol to the Agreement on Cooperation among the Governments of GUUAM Participating
States in the Field of Combat against Terrorism, Organized Crime and Other Dangerous Types of
Crimes of the 20 July 2002
•
Convention of GUUAM Member States on Mutual Rendering of Assistance in Consular Matters
(entry into force 9 December 2002)
•
Agreement on Establishment of Free Trade Area between the GUUAM Participating States (entry
into force 10 December 2003)
•
Agreement among the Governments of GUUAM Participating States on Cooperation in the Field
of Prevention of Emergencies and Elimination of their Effects (4th July 2003)
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•
Memorandum on Understanding GUUAM Participating States on Trade and Transportation
Facilitation (4th July 2003)
•
Agreement on Cooperation among the Governments of GUUAM Participating States in the Field
of Combat Against Terrorism, Organized Crime and Other Dangerous Types of Crimes (entry into
force 25 August 2004)
•
Provisional Statute of the GUUAM Information Office in Kyiv (entry into force 10 May 2005)
•
Letter of intent between Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM and
Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (June 19, 2012)
•
Partnership Agreement between the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development –
GUAM and the “Great Silk Way” International Youth Union (October 8, 2013)” (“Guam”)
Relevant UN Treaties and Events
•
”68th Session GA UN, June 6, 2014, Resolution "Status of internally displaced persons and
refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia"
(A/RES/68/274)
•
68-th Session GA UN, March 27, 2014, Resolution "Territorial integrity of
Ukraine"(A/RES/68/262)
•
67-th session GA UN, December 17, 2012, Resolution "Cooperation between the United Nations
and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM" (A/RES/67/109)
•
66-th session GA UN, July 3, 2012, Resolution "Status of internally displaced persons and
refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskihinvali region/South Ossetia,
Georgia" (A/RES/66/283)
•
65-th session GA UN, June 29, 2011, Resolution "Status of internally displaced persons and
refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia"
(A/RES/64/296)
•
64-th session GA UN, September 7, 2010, Resolution "Status of internally displaced persons and
refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia"
(A/RES/63/307)
•
63-rd session GA UN, September 9, 2009, Resolution "Status of internally displaced persons and
refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia" (A/62/L.28)
•
62-nd session GA UN, Draft of the Resolution "Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their
implications for international peace, security and development" (A/RES/58/85)
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58-th session GA UN, December 9, 2003, Resolution "Observer status for the GUUAM in the
General Assembly" (A/RES/68/274)” (“Agreements”)
Previous Attempts to solve the Issue
The trade and transport facilitation project
It's aim was the facilitate the development of cooperation in the fields of trade and transportation. By
elaborating a trade and transport common policy, harmonizing legal norms and procedures. Developing
infrastructure of new customs and border services, developing training activities and equipping border
points. And by eliminating factors in which the fields of trade and transport: To insure security and
effectiveness of transport.
The GUAM Virtual Centre for fight against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and other
grave crimes and Interstate Information Management System
The GUAM Virtual Center portrays the joint and coordinated activity of an anti-terrorist group. This was
to be set up in each country and to establish a joint international permanent center in any of the GUAM
capitals. The programme promotes development of cooperation in the field of fighting against terrorism,
conditions preventing the GUAM transport corridors for extremists and terrorists purposes and insures
exchange of urgent information on coordinating activity of law and internal affairs.
Prosecutor Advisory Group (PAG.)
The program was aimed to set up cooperation and integral relations between prosecutors within the
GUAM region and GUAM affairs. The group was focused to proving respective services with assistance
and consolations concerning the follow through of investigations about cases of corruption, drug
trafficking, and trans border crimes.
Anti-Corruption Project.
"This project aims at coordinating and harmonizing the activity of the GUAM member states in anticorruption practices, in accordance with the joint strategy."(MFA) The projects initial idea was draw up
anti corruption strategies for GUAM, but in the third meeting the group worked on the fight against,
organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
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Bibliography
"GUAM and UN | GUAM." GUAM and UN | GUAM. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <http://guamorganization.org/en/node/425>.
"Agreements | GUAM." Agreements | GUAM. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <http://guamorganization.org/en/node/293>.
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