This organization brings together 120 states on the principles of non-participation in military blocs. It was created in 1961 and since then not only has not lost its relevance, but, on the contrary, it has gained weight and respect in the international arena. During the confrontation between the USSR and the USA, in the conditions of the Cold War, the emergence of a third force in the form of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was an attempt by non-bloc states assert themselves and elevate their status.
Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of this organization by unanimous decision of the participating countries for 2019-2022. This year, Baku’s presidency was again extended for another year. Speaking at the forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that his country, during his chairmanship of the NAM, had upheld justice and international law, as well as the legitimate interests of member states in accordance with the Bandung principles. Ilham Aliyev condemned France’s neo-colonial policy…..He held a number of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of various countries, including Turkish and Iranian ministers.
- True defender of the principle of multilateralism and second international institution after the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement must find its place in the new world order under reconstruction, declared the Azerbaijani President. – We must stand firmly on the Bandung principles, speak louder about cases of violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity and interference in the internal affairs of states. A more visible presence of our movement in world affairs is vital.
According to him, the UN Security Council is a relic of the past and does not reflect the current reality. Azerbaijan supports expanding the membership of the Security Council to make it more representative and geographically equitable. Today, there is a growing consensus around the world on this.
- A permanent seat on the UN Security Council should be given to the Non-Aligned Movement. The countries occupying the post of chairman of the NAM, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union should have their seats in the UN Security Council on a rotational basis with veto power, Ilham Aliyev suggested.
He stressed that Azerbaijan is concerned about the growing tendency in world politics towards “tolerance” to neo-colonialism. One of the countries that pursues this policy is France. The territories administered by France outside Europe are the remnants of the French colonial empire.
- France must respect the sovereignty of Comoros over the island of Mayotte, as well as the rights of the people of New Caledonia and other peoples of French overseas communities and territories, said the Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev cited compelling facts. Thus, nearly 1.5 million Algerians were killed under French rule. Until now, the skulls of Algerian freedom fighters are kept in the Paris Museum as war trophies. Ilham Aliyev has demanded that French President Emmanuel Macron hand over the remains of his heroes to Algeria.
According to Aliyeva, during the second half of the 20th century, France carried out several nuclear tests in Algeria and its overseas territories – in French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean, thereby causing global environmental degradation and serious health problems for the local population.
- France, falsely positioning itself as a defender of human rights and international law, continues to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The recent withdrawal of French troops from Mali and Burkina Faso has once again demonstrated that France’s outrageous neo-colonial policy in Africa is doomed to failure. Unfortunately, France is trying to impose the same vicious practice in the South Caucasus region, Aliyev said. – France must apologize for its colonial past and its bloody colonial crimes, as well as to the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement in Africa, South-East Asia and elsewhere.
Ilham Aliyev cited the example of the King of the Netherlands who, a few days ago, officially apologized for his country’s colonial past and its participation in the slave trade.
We urge the French President to do the same. Better late than never. An apology to the millions of people his predecessors colonized, enslaved, killed, tortured and humiliated will not only be an acknowledgment of France’s historical guilt, but will also help it overcome the consequences of the deep political, social crisis and humanitarian in which she found herself after the recent brutal murder of a teenager of Algerian origin, – explained Aliyev. – Instead of trying to lecture others, the French authorities should combat these worrying trends in their own country.
The Azerbaijani president expressed serious concern about the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobia, as well as attempts to equate Islam with violence and terror. Burning and defiling the Holy Quran in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and justifying it under the guise of freedom of speech is absolutely irresponsible, unacceptable and must be condemned.
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