European Union and GUAM: Interaction or Alienation

Established in 1997، GUAM regional organization consisted of republics including Azerbaijan، Georgia، Ukraine، and Moldavia mainly was aimed to undermine Russia dominance through regional cooperation and convergence as well as making bonds with organizations such as NATO and the EU. To consolidate its activities and accomplish specific objective، the organization faced difficulties and impediments. Induced by a variety of factors including inconsistencies within the organization and among the members as well as external geopolitical reasons، these hindrances spoiled the perspective of successful، efficient cooperation including the process of expanding the relations with the EU. Similarly، from the EU viewpoint the obstacles have made GUAM a less interesting potential partner، while this contradiction is considered to be a “big problem.” Although there was much hope for GUAM to become a key player in the region after being acknowledged as an official organization in 2006، in the recent years no significant progress and improvement in the organization have been cited. In fact، EU regional initiatives are still considered as the mutual complementary cooperation between EU and the regional countries. Despite other regional organizations، Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is not given much significance in the EU regional strategy.