In 18th Summit Non-Aligned Movement.. Shiukry addresses “regional situation & Egyptian vision to face major challenges
Ashraf Abo Arafe
On 25 and 26 October under the title “Adhering to the Bandung Principles to ensure an appropriate joint response to the challenges of the contemporary world.”, foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry took part in the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Baku.
Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Hafez, said that during his statement to the summit mentioning that Minister Shoukry affirmed Egypt is paying increasing attention to the role of the Non-Aligned Movement, especially as Egypt is one of the founding countries of the Movement and is keen defending its priorities and objectives.
” Since the Non-Aligned Movement was founded, it has refused to violate the sovereignty of States, interfere in its internal affairs, and is committed to the principles of the United Nations and international cooperation.” Shoukry said
The sookesman added that Minister Shukri’s statement also touched the challenges facing the Middle East region at the current stage, pointing out that the most serious ones are aimed at the concept of the national state, where he stressed the need to address any efforts to divide countries or demolish their institutions, and reject attempts to fuel sectarian loyalties Commitment to the principles of a modern national state based on citizenship, equality, the rule of law, respect for human rights and people’s choices, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, rejection of foreign occupation and the need to hold accountable for serious crimes, including genocide. War crimes, crimes against humanity and support for terrorism.
Hafez also pointed out that Shoukry touched the situation in Syria, where he stressed that the exposure of a new aggression on its territory, and the occupation of its north, is a violation of international law and the principles on which the Non-Aligned Movement was founded, and called for an immediate end to this aggression and the withdrawal of aggressor forces. The need to immediately begin the political process to implement Security Council Resolution 2254.
The Spokesman added that Minister Shukri discussed the situation in Libya in his statement, pointing to the need to implement all the elements of the United Nations initiative approved by the Security Council in October 2017, in addition to addressing one of the key areas of the crisis in Libya, which is the imbalance in the distribution of wealth and power, calling for All Libyan parties to uphold the national interest.
Shoukry also stressed the importance of an immediate end to the support provided to terrorism in Libya by certain countries.
He also discussed Egypt’s support for a political solution to end the crisis in Yemen, and continued efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and prevent arms from reaching extremist elements in Yemen.
The Foreign Minister’s statement also praised the Non-Aligned Movement’s support for the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of reaching a comprehensive settlement based on international bases and references, pointing out that the Arab peace initiative is a good basis for that.
Hafez added that Minister Shukry’s statement dealt with the phenomenon of terrorism and the new methods usedt to finance recruit, promote and carry out its operations, in addition to addressing the use of terrorism by certain countries’ regimes as a means to achieve their political objectives. Charged with the accountability of regimes involved in supporting terrorism.
In his speech, Hafez said that the Non-Aligned Movement includes developing countries that seek development, and stumbling of such development is a major cause of conflict and absence of peace and security. Therefore, the international community should pay the necessary attention to enhance the efforts of developing countries and support their efforts to achieve.
Hafez added that It is also the responsibility of the international financial institutions to assist developing countries in general, and the member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement in particular, through partnerships and projects that contribute to achieving the desired economic progress and sustainable development goals.
The Spokesman: The Foreign Minister’s statement also addressed the problem of water scarcity which is threatening many regions of the world, especially the African coast and Egypt, where he stressed when dealing with transboundary rivers and watercourses, everybody should observe good faith and based on strengthening cooperation and avoiding disputes, respecting international law and striving to govern these rivers in a way that preserves the interests of all countries of the river basin. If this mplemented, there would be a guarantee that international peace and security would not be adversely affected.
