NAM Meeting will Define Common Stance amidst Complex World Scenario

HAVANA, Cuba, April 24 (acn)The Non-Aligned Ministerial Meeting to Open in Havana next April 27 will define a common position towards the complex world scenario, marked by serious economic crisis, said Abelardo Moreno, deputy foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations.

Reports say that over 120 countries and more than 60 ministers, most of them foreign affairs ministers have confirmed attendance at the gathering, scheduled to take place April 27 to 30 at Havana´s Conventions Palace.

Also invited is the President of the UN General Assembly Miguel D´ Escoto, who recently called a meeting at the UN, to be held June 1-3 in an effort to look at solutions to the current world financial and economic crisis.

Abelardo Moreno said that the Havana meeting was particularly significant since it will be the last ministerial gathering under Cuba´s mandate, which will make the final arrangements for the 15^th NAM Summit scheduled for Egypt, July 11 to 16.

The Cuban deputy foreign minister explained that the 467-parragraph Final Declaration of the meeting was drawn up during intense negotiations in New York over the past few weeks. The document will be discussed at the Havana gathering, though the most important thing is tat the working guidelines of the Non-Aligned, the reaffirmation of its guiding principles were agreed to in New York.

Moreno described the Declaration as “detailed and diverse,” and he noted that it assesses the current international situation and addresses issues like the decolonization and self-determination processes, regional conflicts, human rights, migration and drug trafficking, natural resources.

In one of its paragraphs the document underlines the necessity of ending the nearly 50-year US economic, financial and commercial blockade of Cuba and calls for the return to Cuba of part of the eastern territory of Guantanamo, occupied by Washington against the will of the Cuban people. The document also extends support and solidarity to the Bolivan government of Evo Morales.

The NAM meeting will work in two parts: a high level official gathering, April 27-28 and at ministerial level, April 29-30, Moreno said.

As to the role played by Cuba as Chair of NAM, Abelardo Moreno said that the Caribbean nation contributed to achieving a strong movement with high coordination level at the Group of 77, and in which reaching agreements and solidarity already are part of everyday practice.

(Reunión ministerial del NOAL definirá posición común en el complejo escenario global)