Iran intends to use the coming summit of heads of the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran in the most beneficial way for its diplomacy. The country, isolated by means of international sanctions, believes that this major forum will enable it to build new relations with countries which don’t view Tehran negatively. “The Summit of the Sanctions - Non-Aligned Movement” should demonstrate the world vitality of the Iranian economic model, which is called “the economy of resistance.”
According to the program, the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (the international organization which unites 120 states of the world which do not participate in military blocs) will be opened in the Iranian capital on August 29 and will last to August 31.
It is expected that 50 heads of state and governments will arrive in Tehran. It is planned that several hundred delegates and observers of the Non-Aligned Movement will take part in the summit overall. As for the agenda, the summit will discuss the most pressing issues on the international stage, including prevention and settlement of local military conflicts, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, stable development, overcoming of the world financial and economic crisis, and so on.
Along with the sessions, the guests will attend nuclear facilities and industrial enterprises of Iran, where the firm spirit of the Iranian people will be demonstrated, which resists unprecedented sanctions by the US and their European allies.
The summit hasn’t been opened yet, but its platform is being actively used by Iranian diplomats even today. The foreign minister of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, made a statement at the session of experts ahead of the forum.
In his long speech he urged the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement to use their potential and make accumulated efforts to establish peace in the world, allowing the organization to implement its “historic duty.” Salehi warned experts of the Movement’s members about the policy of “selfishness and interference” which is still used in international relations.
The Iranian Foreign Minister also stated the necessity of reforms of the UN. Tehran believes that the United Nations needs fundamental reforms, corresponding to the demands of the international community. According to Salehi, after 60 years the UN needs political reform, considering new global changes. Iran insists on giving the main functions to the General Assembly as the key democratic body of the UN. The UN Security Council, which is the supreme body of the international organization, is thought by Iran to be an “evil” led by America.
“Many member-states think that the UN Security Council needs reforming to be more democratic. Reforms should be complex, clear, and effective,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
The summit in Tehran will see unprecedented security. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is responsible for this task. In Tehran alone 110 thousand policemen will provide order. Forces of the Security Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the army are involved in the process and a special office was established for their coordination. The security of the borders has been seriously reinforced; 360 checkpoints were established on the roads leading to Tehran.
