asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their view of the GUUAM Alliance reputedly signed in Washington in late April between Georgia, the Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova and the United States; whether this alliance has been registered at the United Nations; and, if so, for what purposes. [HL3162]

Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova formed the GUAM group in late 1996. In April 1999 Uzbekistan announced its intention to join, making it the GUUAM group. The United States is not a member of the group. It is an informal grouping for co-operation on security and economic issues, rather than an alliance, and has not been registered at the United Nations. Her Majesty's Government support the principle of regional co-operation, but have not taken a formal view on the GUUAM, which is a matter for the countries concerned.