Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan`s primary mission remains to help maintain justice and equality in international relations, to ensure respect for principles of international law and the right and freedom of sovereign nations, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt last week.

``When the inherent right of a sovereign state for independent foreign policy is attacked, when aggression against sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of a sovereign nation takes place, the international community cannot afford to stay neutral,`` Mammadyarov added.

``In that regard, we are pleased to see the unanimous support by the NAM member states for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan as it is enshrined in four United Nations Security Resolutions,`` he said.

``It is an unequivocal adherence by member states to the principles and purposes of the Movement in a practical way. This support is a crystal-clear manifestation of the fact the international community will not reconcile with the results of the aggressive use of force by Armenia against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,`` he said.

Mammadyarov said further that fifty years after its establishment, the NAM is playing today an important role in maintaining the international peace and security and addressing a wide range of issues from regional security to social and economic development.

``As an inclusive forum for broad political consultations and practical cooperation, the NAM has enabled member countries to make consistent efforts towards a more just and prosperous world order,`` he said.

The minister said the international community is continuing to face huge difficulties posed by economic and financial crises, environmental problems, and regional conflicts that are often coupled with aggressive expansionist policies, terrorism, separatism, trans-national organized crime and extremism. ``All these bring about new tasks in our joint endeavor of the development of the South and re-emphasize the need for greater solidarity, dialogue and cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement,`` he said.

Mammadyarov said Baku was committed to the letter and spirit of the principles and purposes of the Movement.

``Azerbaijan carries out independent foreign policy and is not party to any military alliance. Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country with a government that puts a special emphasis on democratization, fostering the respect for human rights and social justice,`` he said.

Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan attaches great importance to its relations within the NAM and is contributing to promoting principles, purposes and agenda of the Movement.

``We are intensifying our bilateral relations with the NAM countries. Azerbaijan has initiated development aid projects for several member nations of the Movement. We are considering expanding those activities in future.``

Azerbaijan became a member of the Non-Aligned Movement in May 2011. The NAM, which includes 118 states, is the second largest political international organization for its members after the UN.