Syria demands lifting Western coercive measures and establishing a new more just international economic order

Syria renewed its demand for the immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the illegal unilateral coercive measures and the US blockade and sanctions imposed on many countries of the world. It called for the establishment of a new, more just international economic order and the advancement of the economic and social reality of the G77 countries and China in a way that satisfies the aspirations of its people to live in prosperity and peace.

During the speech of the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic before the summit of the G77 countries and China held in the Cuban capital, Havana, Minister of Finance, Dr. Kenan Yaghi, conveyed the greetings of President Bashar Al-Assad and his best wishes to the President and people of the friendly Republic of Cuba, and thanks and appreciation for its positive and constructive role in promoting multilateral action, and for its initiative to hold this summit which is extremely important in achieving sustainable development.

Yaghi pointed out that this summit will be a milestone in joint efforts in these challenging times on the international scene, and its outcomes will contribute to supporting the just causes of the countries of the South, including their right to access modern technologies and sciences and employ technology and innovation to achieve sustainable development goals.

Yaghi praised the close, historical bilateral relations that bind Syria with Cuba and the rest of the friendly countries that are members of this international group, and the joint struggle to uphold the provisions of international law and the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, foremost of which are the principles of respect for sovereignty, equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and the integrity and unity of the national territory.

Yaghi said: “We take this opportunity to affirm our support for the friendly country Cuba in its confrontation of all challenges and our condemnation of the inhuman and illegal blockade imposed by the United States of America on Cuba and on other countries that reject the policy of hegemony, colonialism and exploitation.”

Yaghi added, “We emphasize the importance of South-South cooperation, through the countries of the South sharing their experiences, expertise, and scientific production, and providing as much support as possible to other countries in accordance with their national priorities related to science, innovation, and technology. We assert on obliging developed countries to fulfill their pledges to transfer technology, build capabilities of developing countries and reject the policy of monopolizing science as a tool to blackmail these countries.”

The Minister of Finance noted that Syria seeks to make every effort to improve the reality of science, innovation and technology despite the terrorist war launched against us since 2011 and the accompanying illegal and immoral American-European blockade that has affected all aspects of life and has had disastrous effects on the lives of Syrians.

Yaghi stressed that Syria fought its war against terrorism and extremism on behalf of the international community to uphold the values of science and knowledge and preserve the civilized character of Syria and its people. We call on the members of the group to support Syria in overcoming the effects of war, the siege, and the consequences of the devastating earthquake that struck it a few months ago.

Yaghi said: “Syria affirms the group’s support and solidarity with the legitimate causes of the people of the entire world, the most important of which is supporting the struggle of the people suffering under foreign occupation to liberate themselves from it. We demand an end to Israel’s occupation of the occupied Arab lands in Palestine and the Golan as well as the implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions. We also affirm our adherence to the withdrawal of the American and Turkish occupation forces, ending their illegal presence in Syria and their sponsorship of separatist and terrorist groups, and stopping their plunder of Syrian wealth, which has negatively affected the Syrian economy and the Syrian people.

Yaghi clarified: “We demand the necessary support to extend the authority of the Syrian state over the entire Syrian territory. We also underline the urgency of the immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the illegal unilateral coercive measures, the American blockade, and the sanctions that our people and the Cuban people have been suffering from for more than sixty years.”

The Minister of Finance affirmed Syria’s commitment to the success of the work of this summit, headed by Cuba, and called on it to strengthen and develop cooperation with the aim of establishing a new, more just international economic order and improving the economic and social reality in our countries in a way that satisfies the aspirations of our people to live in luxury, tranquility and peace.

The activities of the G77 and China summit began on Friday in the Cuban capital, Havana, with the participation of more than 134 countries, including Syria.

The G 77 was established on June 15, 1964 within the Non-Aligned Movement, and its first major meeting was in Algeria in 1967.

The group began with 77 founding members in addition to China, which has supported the group since its founding. The first statement in 1966 was called the Group of 77 and China, and it expanded until it included 134 countries, which represents about two-thirds of the member states of the United Nations. This makes it the largest alliance of developing countries within the United Nations.

Cuba currently holds the presidency of the group, and the presidency is transferred between member states in a vote that takes place every year at the end of each session. The group has also approved holding a periodic summit at the level of its heads of state and government once every five years.

Inas Abdulkareem