Rouhani: NAM Meeting to Focus on Peace, National Sovereignty, Solidarity

TEHRAN, (ST)-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stressed that all countries should continuously work to preserve security and stability in the region and other parts of the world through non-interference in other countries internal affairs and through respecting countries national sovereignty.

 In a statement on Friday before his departure for Venezuela to take part in the 17th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), en route to New York, where he will address the UN General Assembly, Rouhani  said “NAM meeting agenda focuses on peace, solidarity and national sovereignty of countries.”

He highlighted the importance of the NAM meeting as the second largest gathering of heads of states, hoping for a fruitful gathering this year.

The 17th NAM summit started in Venezuela on September 15 and will wrap up on Thursday.

The Iranian president is scheduled to deliver a speech at the summit later on Friday. He will then hand over NAM’s rotating presidency to his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro for three years.

On his participation in the 71st annual session of the UN General Assembly, Rouhani said he will present Iran’s viewpoints about various issues in the region and the world. He stressed the  importance of preserving peace, of not interfering in countries internal affairs and of coordination and consultation with leaders of other countries.  

NAM, an international organization with 120 member states and 21 observer countries, represents nearly two-thirds of the UN members. It is considered as not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

Hamda Mustafa