Salehi : Iran To Uphold NAM Lofty Goals

Tehran, Aug 27, IRNA - Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said here on Sunday that Iran has the honor to host and chair the 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit of Leaders in this historic and challenging circumstances. He made the remarks in the opening session of the experts meeting of the 16th NAM Summit. Assuming presidency of the summit indicates that Iran has played a very active role in the past three decades in line with aspirations of the world body, he said. At this sensitive juncture, Iran spares no effort to uphold the lofty goals of the NAM by fostering solidarity among member states, Salehi said. He said that the hefty task of implementing goals of the world body sounds easier due to good performance of previous chairmen mainly Egypt, in the past three years. Salehi also thanked the Egyptian government and nation for their endeavors during their chairmanship over the body. "We have gathered to review and study new global developments to maintain the interests of NAM member states," he said. He called for utilization of potentials and capabilities of NAM to thwart global challenges and help maintain peace and justice in the world. Salehi said that in the 16th NAM summit, Iran will reinforce the organization to help revive it so that it would be able to shoulder its historic and grave responsibility. "We should be vigilant in dealing with the blatant interference of ill-wishers in international relations," he said. "To successfully overcome global challenges, we should do our best to enhance NAM capacity to help restore peace and justice in the international community." He said that different values and beliefs should be respected to help restore peace and tranquility in the world. NAM plays significant role in promotion of dialogue among civilizations, religions and cultures, he said adding that all should help uphold peace in the world and remove all types of discrimination./end