Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan urged the international community to increase its efforts to ensure a common approach in fighting challenges that threaten countries' territorial integrity, national unity, and stability.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made this appeal during his speech at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement on May 28, the foreign ministry reported.

"Pursuing an independent foreign policy and joining no military alliance, Azerbaijan consistently takes actions to protect international norms and principles, develop democracy, and respect human rights and social justice," Mammadyarov said.

He went on to say that the Non-Aligned Movement, the largest union of states after the UN, plays an important role in protecting global peace and stability and regional security.

"Today, we are observing some signs of chronic failure in protecting peace and stability worldwide," Mammadyarov said.

He noted that ignoring recognized international norms and principles cause serious concern. "The Non-Aligned Movement, on the contrary, acts as a defender of international laws."

Mammadyarov thanked the organization for supporting Azerbaijan's fair position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, adding that the country will make every effort to support the Movement's activity.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, the Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions.

Mammadyarov also stressed that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the principles and objectives of the Movement.

An Azerbaijani delegation headed by the Foreign Minister took part at the 17th Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The conference of the 120 members of the NAM opened on May 28 and will end on May 29.