Minister Selaković in New York at the ministerial meeting of NAM countries
Addressing the ministers of NAM countries, Selaković explained that Serbia is a military neutral state, fully committed to its strategic orientation and EU membership, while simultaneously working to strengthen old, traditional friendships with African, Latin American, and Asia-Pacific countries, in hopes that the strengthening of those ties would be mutually beneficial. Recalling that, even though the Non-Aligned Movement was made up of states of different identities, cultures, religions, and political-economic systems, Selaković noted that these countries have managed to grow based on the ten founding principles, which have never lost on importance and relevance.
The head of Serbian diplomacy pointed out that he was proud of the fact that last year's high-level meeting, on the 60th anniversary of the first NAM summit, was held in Belgrade, the very place where the first meeting was held in 1961, sending a strong message that Serbia does not forget old friendships, and that the founding principles of the Movement have timeless value and special significance.
“Although the world today is in many ways different to that of 1961, we still face similar challenges. The world today calls for additional efforts to strengthen multilateralism and understand the multipolarity of the world order,” Selaković said.
As he pointed out, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, as stated in the UN Charter, as well as in the founding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, is particularly important to Serbia.
On this occasion, Minister Selaković thanked the members of the Movement who stand by Serbia in remaining consistent with the principles of respect for international law, and not recognizing the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.
“Finally, I want to repeat that the Non-Aligned Movement countries can always count on Serbia's friendship. We firmly believe in and contribute to building a world in which dialogue based on equality will prevail, without division into big and small nations - a world in which commitment to peace and stability will prevail”, Selaković concluded.
