Syria at NAM summit today in Havana, Cuba

Syria Participates in Ministerial Meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the NAM   Apr 29, 2009

Havana, (SANA) – The Ministerial Meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) kicked off on Wednesday at the Cuban capital Havana with the attendance of Cuban President and current Secretary General of the NAM Raul Castro Ruz, with the participation of a Syrian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad. President Raul Castro gave an opening speech defining the priorities of the NAM in the upcoming stage, stressing the importance of respecting sovereignty, not interfering in the internal affairs of countries, and respecting peoples’ rights of self-determination away from military interference and foreign occupation. He also called for holding those responsible for aggression and war crimes accountable, particularly the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. President of the UN General Assembly Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann gave a speech affirming that the principles that the NAM was founded upon are still valid after 60 years, underlining the need to end all forms of domination, aggression and hegemony which are represented most clearly by Zionism. He also criticized the current international system, calling for a more just and fair system. Syria was elected as Deputy President of the Ministerial Meeting, which will discuss the reports listed on its agenda and a number of political, economic and social resolutions that will specify the NAM’s stance regarding various issues on the international scene. H. Sabbagh / Mazen