11.10.2021.
President Vučić Opened the Non-Aligned Movement Summit
President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić, in his capacity as host, opened a two-day Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement which is being held in Belgrade on the occasion of 60th anniversary of that organisation. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is going to chair the Non-Aligned Movement until 2022, addressed the present via video link.
The ceremony organised in the Belgrade Fare was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović PhD.
“Welcome home” were the words by which President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić commenced his today’s address at the opening of the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement.
“I hope that we will not only talk about the past, but also the future that we wish to build together. The world of dialogue, compromise and peace is still possible and attainable” he stated.
“Belgrade was, is and will be a proud host to every human being who carries peace within him. The fundamental idea that gathered our predecessors at the time when they founded the Movement was peace. Peace is the basis for development of cooperation no matter if it is political or economic one” he stressed.
He also emphasised that international cooperation with adherence to fundamental principles is the only path towards development and prosperity of mankind, and he also underlined that the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, according to him, puts in the foreground and promotes three principles – peace and security, development and human rights.
“Serbia, as a legal successor of Yugoslavia, and founder of the UN and NAM, is a proud promoter of the policy of multilateralism and respect for international norms. It is a great privilege for me personally and honour for Serbia that we have gathered in Belgrade, where you will feel at home. I am confident that Belgrade, as a symbol that has been lasting for many centuries, a crossroads of civilisations, a point of contact between east and west for numerous civilisations and religions, can entice dialogue and building of new bridges of cooperation” Vučić stated.
The president said that he was particularly pleased to have an opportunity to see friends from distant countries, who were not prevented by the situation with Covid-19 from arriving in Belgrade, by which they showed how great importance they attach to this organisation, and by which they also paid respects to Serbia.
“At the time when, sadly, there are but few multilateral meetings in the world, this will be an exceptional and rare opportunity to discuss all issues face to face” he stated.
He stated that marking the first conference of the NAM back in 1961, was a desire to pay tribute to a Movement which, at the time of block divisions, had given a significant contribution and vision founded on respect.
“There was no room within the Movement for the domination of one state over the other. I hope that we will not only speak about the past, but the future that we wish to build together. The world of dialogue, compromise and peace is still possible and attainable” he expressed his belief.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated today that Azerbaijan would strengthen the cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement in order to strengthen justice and respect for international law, and underlined that disrespect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of any country was not acceptable.
Speaking at the opening of the Summit, on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement, which is being held in Belgrade, Aliyev, in his capacity as Chairman of the Movement, expressed his gratitude to President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić for hosting the meeting and assessed that the initiative demonstrated the readiness of Serbia to take over its legacy of the past.
According to him, taking into consideration that the Non-Aligned Movement is the greatest international institution after the UN Assembly, it is an example of multilateralism, with 120 member countries with different political, historical and cultural characteristics.
“The respect for integrity and sovereignty, refraining from aggressive actions and interference in internal politics of other country make the core of the Movement. These principles are valid today, and if all countries accepted the principles of the Movement, we would not have any wars” Aliyev said.
The opening of the largest diplomatic gathering in Europe organised during the outbreak was attended by officials from more than 100 member states.
