Statement by Ambassador Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios at the handover ceremony of the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, Vienna chapter

Mr. President:

 

First of all, I wish to acknowledge the excellent work carried out by the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the head of the NAM Chapter in Vienna and in a broader sense, the Iranian government in holding the Presidency of the Movement along these four years in the context of a complex international scenario.

 

At the same time, I wish to congratulate the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the third country in our region which assumes the presidency of the Movement. Cuba is strongly committed to supporting the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We reiterate our full confidence that under his leadership, the role of the Movement, in the international arena, will continue deepening and boosting on the basis of the principles of Bandung and the Declaration of Havana.

 

Vienna chapter has an important mission, in reaffirming the Movement as a force that defends the validity and respect for international law, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, nuclear disarmament, peace and international security as well as economic and social development.

 

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed his desire to "motorize and energize" from the NAM "a process of reorganization of the United Nations system". The Movement is able to promote, defend and achieve it, if we together intend it to.

 

We are 120 non-aligned countries. No one can ignore our heritage or the strength we represent. The only viable alternative to the enormous dangers that beset humanity today is the unity and solidarity in defence of our common goals and aspirations: a world of peace and development.

 

Thank you very much