‘Islamic Republic of Iran has proven to be a reliable partner,’ Amir-Abdollahian tells NAM

The Iranian foreign minister has highlighted the Islamic Republic’s policy of consolidating neighborly relations and its remarkable achievements in the fight against terrorism, saying Iran has proved to be a reliable partner in the West Asia region.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an address to the Foreign Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the Republic of Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, on Wednesday.

Amir-Abdollahian pointed to the recent global developments and challenges, urging NAM to assume a more proactive role in realizing the objectives of this international forum.

“Our main goal should be to strengthen the rule of law and justice in the world because the origin of most crises and wars lies in the gross and widespread violation of the law and disregard for values,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

Stressing that the resolution of regional problems is possible only with the cooperation of the countries in the region, Amir-Abdollahian said, “At the regional level, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven to be a reliable partner.”

The top Iranian diplomat touched on the country’s exemplary cooperation in fighting terrorism and the sacrifice of Iranian forces in countering the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in the region, including in Iraq and Syria, saying Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani was the “great hero” of the fight against terrorism.

The top Iranian diplomat also lauded the success of Iran's neighborly policy in promoting greater convergence in the region. “We are determined to continue the development of relations in all fields and cooperation with all the neighbors and countries across the world.”

‘Destabilization result of normalization with Israel’

In his speech, Amir-Abdollahian raised concerns about the threat posed by Israel's weapons of mass destruction to regional and global peace and security.

He also condemned the systematic violence against Palestinians by the regime and expressed dismay over the tragic loss of innocent Palestinian women and children, the destruction of their homes, and the desecration of holy sites, including the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.

“We strongly condemn the recent barbaric attacks by the Zionist regime against innocent Palestinians in Jenin and call on the international community to react decisively and quickly against this fake and occupying regime and its hostile actions,” he said.

The top Iranian diplomat warned that normalization of relations with Israel by some countries has led to the destabilization of the region, while disregarding the values and aspirations of the Palestinian people and the Muslim world.

Amir-Abdollahian added, “The military aggression of the fake Israeli regime in the region, including against Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians, must end immediately.”

Iran FM, Azerbaijan president discuss ties, regional issues

The Azerbaijani president and Iranian foreign minister held a meeting in Baku on the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau.

Political solution to conflict in Ukraine, Caucasus

Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian pointed to the situation in Ukraine and Caucasus, and underscored the necessity of ending the conflict through a political solution.

He further said Iran firmly believes in the potential for peaceful resolution of the disputes in the South Caucasus region.

“Today, in my meeting with Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the honorable president of Azerbaijan, I found out that Azerbaijan is seeking to remove the blockage on transportation lines in the region based on the trilateral agreement between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Amir-Abdollahian added.

“This is an issue that the president strongly emphasized, and of course, the issue of peaceful settlement of disputes in the South Caucasus without changing the borders is always underlined by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to facilitate the realization of this goal by using its capacities.”

NAM must strongly condemn Qur'an desecration

Amir-Abdollahian also said the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the "desecratory, norm-breaking, politically-directed and provocative act" of insulting the Holy Qur'an in Sweden.

“Given the desire of some European governments to officially uphold the establishment of such illegitimate procedures in support of battling Islam and xenophobia, we emphasize that the Non-Aligned Movement must strongly condemn this illegitimate and inhuman act in the strongest terms and at the highest possible level,” the Iranian foreign minister stated.

NAM, the largest grouping of countries outside of the UN with 120 member states, is an important role player in global and multilateral affairs.

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