The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has proven the ability to be an important player in the international arena, Algerian President Abdelkader Bensalah said.

Bensaleh made the remarks at the 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the NAM member-states, which is being held in Baku, Trend reports on Oct. 25.

“NAM has proven its ability to be an important player in the international arena,” the president said. “Presently, our main goal is to seek mutually beneficial cooperation. NAM must take the responsibility to address the challenges that we all face. This includes the arms race, sectoral conflicts. Our countries’ obligation is to achieve sustainable development.”

“The use of force in many countries testifies to the need to find a way to solve problems peacefully,” Bensaleh added. “If the world does not accept a common position, everyone is aware about the consequences. I express confidence in the NAM unity. Otherwise, we will be unable to succeed. We must go hand in hand and respect the Bandung conference principles."

The president expressed confidence that NAM member-states will be able to achieve success in implementing the summit recommendations.

The 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the member-countries of the Non-Aligned Movement will continue until October 26.

Before the summit, a preparatory meeting of officials of the participating countries was held on October 21-22, while a meeting of the foreign ministers on October 23-24.

The representatives of 158 countries and international organizations participate in the summit. The foreign ministers, heads of state and government and other senior representatives also participate in the event.

Azerbaijan will chair this structure in 2019-2022.

The Non-Aligned Movement, uniting the countries that did not join any military-political blocs during the Cold War, was transformed into one of the important multilateral mechanisms. Today, the Non-Aligned Movement is the second political platform after the UN, uniting in its ranks the biggest number of countries.

TREND

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