Egypt President: NAM Should Play Its Pivotal Role In Global Developments

Tehran, Aug 30, IRNA -- President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt in a keynote speech delivered on Thursday in the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement said NAM should play its pivotal role in global developments. NAM members have gathered in Tehran to indicate their potential in moving ahead with NAM's aspirations, he said. Lauding the efforts made by the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the 16th NAM Summit in Tehran, he said Tehran did its best to this effect. He also thanked the Republic of Cuba for backing Egypt during its chairmanship and extended the appreciation to new Troika members Bolivia and Venezuela for hosting the 17th NAM summit in 2015. NAM members have gathered in the 16th NAM Summit to uphold aspirations of the Movement, he said. He said that in January 25th 2011, Egypt witnessed a revolution during which the Egyptians could pursue their interests through maintaining unity and solidarity. Morsi said that late Egypt President Gamal Abdel Nasser as one of the founders of the NAM could collapse the image of its then global powers through forming the movement. "On January 25th, Egypt nation through staging a revolution could open a new chapter which is regarded as a turning point in the country's history." Referring to significant developments in the Middle East in the past two years, he said before witnessing a democratic revolution in Egypt, such development occurred in Tunisia and then in Libya and Yemen and now all are witnessing such massive changes and developments in Syria. On January 25th, 2011 Egyptians could put an end to authority of western governments, he said adding that people in Egypt have overcome many hardships and difficulties to set up a democratic system, he said. Referring to existing challenges among NAM member states, he expressed the hope that the event help find suitable solution to resolve such challenges. Morsi's visit to Tehran was highly focused by political and media circles as a major event. Analysts believe that his visit to Iran indicates the failure of the US anti-Iran policies. They say President Morsi's meeting with senior Iranian officials would pave the way for promotion of Tehran-Cairo relations. The 16th NAM Summit began in Tehran on Thursday with a speech delivered by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei./end