Foreign Minister attends Non-Aligned Movement meeting

Manama, July 13 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, participated virtually today at the Non-Aligned Movement Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting, chaired by the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered his opening remarks in which he welcomed the participating ministers, noting that since the promotion of peace, multilateralism and global solidarity is at the base of the Non-Aligned Movement, the complex global difficulties have increased the importance of the Non-Aligned Movement. On COVID-19 repercussions, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted that the Non-Aligned Movement should take strong targeted and coordinated steps for the post-COVID-19 period as well, calling for a high-level meeting of the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement, in order to exchange views concerning the pandemic recovery phase and formulate the movement's position. During the meeting, Dr Al Zayani delivered the Kingdom of Bahrain’s speech, where he expressed his utmost thanks to the friendly Republic of Azerbaijan for effectively coordinating the Movement’s work over the past two years, expressing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s support for this meeting’s Political Declaration that reaffirms the importance of dialogue and cooperation to address challenges; principles which are integral to Bahraini culture, and whose importance has been so clearly illustrated by the past eighteen months. He further explained that Bahrain has been proud to play a leading role in combating COVID, working closely with friends and partners both regionally and internationally, while ensuring the best possible protection and care to its citizens and residents. He said that the pandemic has also underlined the interconnected threats the world faces, including the potential for challenges such as COVID to inspire future terrorist attacks, further demonstrating the importance of an unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, and to countering those who fund, incite or promote terrorist acts. He affirmed that COVID has shown beyond doubt the need to ensure sustainable, broad-based and equitable development, so that extremist groups cannot find recruits among those afflicted by a cycle of poverty and hopelessness – whether as a result of the pandemic or due to the conflicts or displacement which affect too many people across our world. He also pointed out that this is why the Kingdom of Bahrain believes in cooperation amongst like-minded states to break that cycle of despair, and create instead a positive circle of peace that can establish a prosperous, just and equitable world, with genuine opportunities and a clear alternative path of shared security and development. He affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain believes that in the most effective way to do so is through core principles of coexistence, tolerance and mutual respect; resolving all conflicts which have afflicted several member states of the Non-Aligned Movement through dialogue and political means, not violence, in the hope of achieving peace, security and prosperity for our regions and the countries of the world. He reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to genuine multilateral efforts to address global challenges, looking forward to a continued central role for the Non-Aligned Movement in this critical process. A political declaration was issued by the meeting, which clarified that the foreign ministers of the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement reviewed the progress made in the outcomes of the Eighteenth Summit of the Movement, which was held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 25 to 26 October 2019, with the aim of making an effective contribution to solving major problems of common interest to all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement and all of humanity, reiterating their strong commitment to the purposes, principles and provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, and to the vision, principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement, within the framework of efforts to achieve a world of peace, equality, cooperation and prosperity for all. On the other hand, the foreign ministers of the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement reiterated the full validity of the founding principles of the movement and the recognition of the achievements that marked its historical developments, their sincere commitment to the principles of international law related to friendly relations and cooperation among states and the fulfillment in good faith of the obligations assumed by states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which is Most important in maintaining international peace and security. The declaration affirmed that all states should respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty, sovereign equality, political independence and inviolability of international borders of other states, comply with the principles of non-interference in internal affairs, and refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. and recommitment to support and reinforce the principles of international law. The declaration also emphasized that while facing this kind of global emergency, the spirit of solidarity must be at the heart of the efforts of Member States, a high level of moral and humanitarian commitment is required, where solidarity and selfless cooperation prevail in order to provide services to people in need of medicines, equipment, medical supplies and food and to share experiences and good practices. On the fight against terrorism, the Declaration affirmed the principled position of the Non-Aligned Movement and its firm commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, reiterating the commitment of all Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, and to refrain from providing any form of support, whether active or passive, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts, including by suppressing the recruitment of members of terrorist groups and eliminating the supply of weapons to terrorists, denying terrorists safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment, as well as to prevent abuse of refugee status by perpetrators, organizers or facilitators of terrorist acts.