Says; countries (6)
I believe the answer is:
states
I believe this is a double definition.
'says' is the first definition.
('state' can be a synonym of 'say')
'countries' is the second definition.
(I know this)
(Other definitions for states that I've seen before include "America; says" , "Expresses in words" , "Asserts" , "Utters in the American Union" , "Conditions of American administrative units" .)