Azernews.Az

Leaders of Non-Aligned Movement have signed a final document referring to such global issues as the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and Iran's nuclear program.

The resolution, adopted in Tehran last Friday in conclusion of the NAM summit, cites the importance of settling the long-running dispute within Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

In the document the heads of state or government expressed regret that the conflict between the two South Caucasus neighbors remains unresolved and continues to threaten regional and international peace and security.

The summit participants reaffirmed the importance of the principle of non-use of force enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and encouraged the parties to continue to seek a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

The resolution also supported Iran's nuclear energy program while condemning the West's sanctions against Tehran and voicing support for the rights of the Palestinian nation.

The document calls for global nuclear disarmament and stresses the need to combat Islamophobia and racism throughout the world.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad read out the resolution, which included over 700 clauses, at the final session of the summit late on Friday. During the closing ceremony, President Ahmadinejad hailed the resolution as "effective and historic" and thanked all of the participants of the summit, which he said had a very important message for the entire world.

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who represented Azerbaijan at the summit, said Baku was thankful for the reiteration of the firm support by the NAM member states expressed in the final document for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan pursues an independent foreign policy and is not party to any military alliance," Mammadyarov said. "At the same time, Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country with a government that places a special emphasis on democratization, fostering respect for human rights and social justice. Azerbaijan has initiated development assistance projects for several member nations of the Movement and we consider broadening those activities in the future as well."

Mammadyarov said that as the second largest political international organization next to the UN, NAM provides a broad and inclusive forum for political consultations and practical cooperation. "In doing so, it has enabled member countries to make consistent efforts towards a more peaceful and secure international order."

Mammadyarov said some of the most important achievements of the 20th century such as the success of the decolonization movement and the emergence of a global social development agenda are among the Movement's impressive contributions to the world so far.

"Yet we all agree that there is still a long way to go to fully achieve purposes of the Movement. Today's meeting is taking place in an important period in the sense that the world community encounters the new emerging challenges and opportunities for peace, security and sustainable development," he noted.

Mammadyarov added that the recent environmental, economic and social indicators demonstrate that the models for progress and development need to be modified and adapted.

The summit was attended by leaders of 120 countries, including 24 presidents, 3 kings, 8 prime ministers and 50 foreign ministers.

Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi, officially handed the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during the inaugural ceremony of Leaders Meeting. Iran will hold the NAM presidency for three years until the 17th summit in Venezuela in 2015.

NAM is an international organization with 120 members that is not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Nearly two-thirds of the UN countries are also NAM members.

"Collapse of America"

The NAM summit in Tehran is the first step towards a collapse of the U.S., Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said, IRNA news agency reported.

Rahimi noted that "collapse of America" is coming, just like that of the Soviet Union, and the summit in Tehran was the first important step.

Speaking of the Israeli remarks regarding an attack on Iran, Rahimi said Israel is not serious about launching an attack on Iran.