Iran to host NAM summit in 2012

News number: 8802110814 18:54 | 2009-05-01 Foriegn Policy

Iran to Host NAM Summit in 2012 TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran will host the 16th Summit of the Non-Aliened Movement (NAM) in 2012, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki announced on Friday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will host the 16th Summit and receive the rotating presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2012,” Manouchehr Mottaki said in Havana after a meeting of NAM’s Foreign Ministers on Friday. He announced that Iran and Qatar had volunteered to host the summit of the heads of state after the 15th Summit which is to take place in Egypt. Following consultations a series of talks, the Qatari side agreed that Iran receive the rotating presidency of the movement and host the Summit. Mottaki called the development a great achievement for Iran and its proactive role in the international arena. Earlier, Iran and Cuba vowed to forge a consensus that would strengthen NAM’s role in the face of global crises. “The Non-Aligned Movement, under serious, upstanding management of Cuba and its influential members has returned to an effective and leading role (in the world)” Mottaki said in a meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana. During the Thursday meeting, Castro also referred to “Iran’s significant role in the Non-Aligned Movement,” saying that the Islamic Republic plays an important role in reviving the group’s status in the world as an international organization.