NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT STILL AT THE FOREFRONT OF JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 1 /SRNA/ - Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić told the participants of the Non-Aligned Movement /NAM/ that even today, just as in 1961, when the NAM was formed, it stands in Belgrade at the forefront of justice, equality and the fight for international law, and also of the solidarity and dialogue between countries and peoples.

Vučić said that the founders of the NAM defined the moral context by which most of humanity is still guided today. He said that they also emphasized that the freedom of the NAM members was not a gift, but it was gained through the fight to consider the voice of smaller countries and their aiming for equality. He pointed out that solidarity among the NAM members and the founding countries witnesses that partnerships made through the history are note merely memories, but they last even today and confirm themselves in challenging moments. "Some would say that the non-aligned are outdated format, but I say it is a big delusion, and that we can and must fight for the movement that we need today more than ever, because in the time of force, we must remind ourselves of the foundations on which the international order stands," said Vučić. He assessed that today there is mistrust among the great powers, but also climate and other changes, as well as the rapid development of new technologies which, along with numerous opportunities, bring new risks. He pointed out that Serbia proudly protects the tradition of the country that was one of the founders of NAM, and that it builds relationships on the principles of equality and solidarity. He stated that representatives of numerous countries came to the meeting in Belgrade in order to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia. Vučić noted that Serbia wants to start three new initiatives that will gather the NAM members, with which it will cooperate with the goal of increasing the trade and investments, but also the people and students exchange. The Vice-President of Uganda Jessica Alupo also addressed the participants, expressing gratitude to Serbia for the welcome, as well as everyone who came to today's meeting in Serbia. The meeting was organized in Belgrade to commemorate the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was held from September 1 to 6, 1961 in the capital of Yugoslavia at the time.