FM delivers Iraq speech at the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement

Baghdad-INA
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein affirmed on Wednesday, the Republic of Iraq's support for the constants, principles and aspirations of the Non-Aligned Movement for the current and next stage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "Hussein delivered today the speech of the Republic of Iraq at the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, which will be held in Baku for the period from 5-6 July 2023, in which he renewed the support of the Republic of Iraq for the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement principles and aspirations for the current and future stage."

Hussein stressed, according to the statement, the importance of strengthening its methods of work by unifying visions and consensus in decisions, especially at this stage in which the divergence of interests and wills has increased and the regional and international crises have worsened, and to move away from the policy of international blocs to reach security, peace, stability and the well-being of the peoples of the world, and to find sustainable solutions to international crises."

He stressed "the promotion of pluralism in international relations in order to preserve international peace and security, and economic, social, cultural and health cooperation to achieve prosperity for our societies," noting that the challenges facing the countries of the movement in the current circumstances that the world is going through call us to strengthen cooperation and solidarity among the countries of the movement."

Hussein stressed "the importance of multilateral diplomacy and joint pluralistic collective action, adding that these lofty goals are achieved through the movement playing an effective and responsible role in international issues, most notably climate change, the spread of epidemics, food security, and energy security."

He indicates "Iraq's keenness to be a factor of stability in its regional and international environment and its endeavor to bridge views and work to find peaceful and sustainable solutions to regional crises by offering initiatives, building bridges and bringing views closer to maintaining regional and international peace and security, especially in our region that has suffered from wars and crises iraq succeeded in hosting the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, which enjoyed wide participation by the regional neighboring countries and came out with important recommendations embodied in the Baghdad Summit Declaration the affairs of the region, and in order to harness resources for the purposes of development, economic integration and cooperation, and not wars that people pay for."

Hussein renewed Iraq's call to "ensure the achievement of food and energy security and to take joint measures to address the acute shortage of many types of food supplies due to their scarcity and high prices and their effects on many countries, due to conflicts and wars, especially what was shaped by the war in Ukraine, as the repercussions of this crisis Economically, it crossed its borders and affected many countries, as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine led to great repercussions on food security, energy markets, global trade, and destabilizing food and energy security, and the risks of increasing famine in the world escalated, in addition to the unfortunate humanitarian repercussions accompanying the crisis on civilians both sides, as this led to instability in the energy and food markets at a sensitive period in the global economy during which the post-Covid 19 pandemic recovery phase began."

He referred to "Iraq's appeal to all parties to follow the language of dialogue and diplomatic negotiations in order to reach sustainable peaceful solutions, in order to maintain regional and international peace and security," noting Iraq's work within the contact group of the League of Arab States to find possible ways to reduce escalation and spare the peoples of the two countries the scourge of war ,destruction, and its repercussions on the whole world."
He pointed out that "the Iraqi government has placed, at the top of its priorities and concerns, dealing with what was left behind by the terrorist ISIS gangs through the reconstruction of the liberated areas, the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, the return of the displaced to their areas and the end of this file, in addition to the provision of basic services and the preservation of civil peace," He called on all countries to "cooperate with Iraq in implementation of its obligations to receive its nationals from the families of detained terrorists, and the importance of concerted international efforts to find a solution to this issue."

Minister Hussein affirmed, "Iraq's stance on racism, xenophobia, hatred of Muslims, and the phenomenon of Islamophobia and its growth represents a denial of the principles and purposes of the United Nations and a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, just as disdain for religions and incitement to their symbols represents incitement to hatred, which is one form of discrimination, as it leads to negative effects resulting from it."
 It leads to conflicts and affects social peace and peaceful coexistence, and provides a fertile environment for violence, as the trend of hatred, Islamophobia and racism began to escalate in many countries of the world, especially in countries with democratic systems that claim respect for human rights and freedom of expression, and that trend has grown to be a diseased phenomenon in society, Hatred and disrespect for the beliefs of others are inconsistent with democratic systems, just as freedom of expression in accordance with human rights principles never includes infringement of the beliefs and sacred books of others."
He explained, "Iraq expresses its strong condemnation of such repeated events, which took place in a number of countries of the world, the most recent of which is the Kingdom of Sweden, which witnessed the crime of burning the Holy Qur'an, and we call on countries that witness such cases to respect the feelings of Muslims, and we call on the international community in the name of human solidarity." By condemning and criminalizing these despicable acts, not allowing them, and referring institutions and individuals that promote sedition, contempt for religions, and racism to justice, and Iraq calls on countries to confront the phenomenon of Islamophobia, and to combat the language of hatred against Muslims emanating from some politicians, and it must never be understood that confronting Islamophobia represents a restriction on freedom of opinion And expression, provoking the feelings of adherents of the Islamic religion by publishing offensive images about Islam and its symbols does not represent opinion or freedom of thought."

Hussein noted, "In the Palestinian file, occupied Palestine is witnessing today a fierce attack launched by the Israeli entity forces on the Jenin camp in the West Bank, which resulted in martyrs and injuries, the destruction of homes and the razing of lands," stressing, "the government of Iraq condemns in the strongest terms this aggression, as it confirms its position principled, steadfast and supportive of the Palestinian people and their just cause, and calls on the esteemed conference to take a strong stand for fairness and support for the Palestinian people."

In conclusion, the minister renewed Iraq's welcome to hold the Non-Aligned Movement Summit of Heads of State and Government early next year (2024) in Uganda, calling for the importance of adhering to the principles on which the movement was based, "United and steadfast in facing emerging challenges."