Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris led Sri Lanka’s delegation to the XVII Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the theme ‘Enhanced Solidarity for Peace and Prosperity’ in Algiers on 28-29 May 2014.
Addressing the Conference on 28 May, the Minister recalled that it was at the Algiers Summit in 1973 that the Chair of NAM passed to Sri Lanka in 1976 and emphasized the continuous and consistent commitment of both Algeria and Sri Lanka to the principles, ideals and objectives of the Movement.
The Minister said that, although the Non-Aligned Movement had its origins in the context of the Cold War and circumstances have now changed, the rationale which underpinned the Movement remains no less relevant to the modern world. The values which sustain the Movement involve assessing and making decisions on issues, based on the merits of the particular case, without a priori alignment to any political grouping or ideology. This approach will play a vital role in enhancing the credibility and stature of international institutions. It is vital, the Minister stressed, to recognize the diversity of cultures, and that, when it comes to solutions, there is no size that fits everyone.
The value of the Non-Aligned Movement, Minister Peiris stated, lies in building up the conviction among the peoples of the countries of NAM, pre-eminent among which is terrorism, a scourge which has fundamentally impeded progress in large swathes of the globe. Stating that it is ironical that Sri Lanka, having eradicated terrorism for the benefit not only of the people of our country but a significantly wider region, is today having to contend with immense pressure exerted primarily through the use of human rights as a political tool, the Minister emphasized that nothing is more important that that the international community should adopt a strong and unequivocal attitude to support, without any tinge of reservation, initiatives aimed at the eradication of terrorism.
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
2 June 2014
