President Raul Castro at Opening Session of NAM Ministerial Meeting

Also attending are Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo, Vice President of the Cuban Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas and the president of the UN General Assembly Miguel D´Escoto, among other personalities.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez extended the most cordial welcome to all participants during his opening statement at the forum and he stressed Cuba's firm commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The forum takes place at Havana's Conventions Center with the participation of 140 delegations, 111 of which represent NAM member nations, 14 have observer status. Also present are representatives of five international organizations and of 10 guest countries.

Following a two-day working session in commissions, the high-level officials prepared the document of the forum, which will be submitted for approval to the foreign ministers of the Third World organization.

The meeting, which winds up on Thursday, is the last one to take place under the mandate of Cuba as NAM Chair before Egypt assumes that responsibility during the 15^th Summit of Heads of State and Government, next July 11-16.