Sajn: Non-Aligned Movement is a key asset in the UN General Assembly, more than 80 NAM members have not recognized Kosovo

The upcoming gathering in Belgrade marking 65 years since the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), just one week before the opening of the UN General Assembly session, carries a strong political message that directly affects Serbia's efforts to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, journalist Zeljko Sajn told Kosovo Online.

„Marking 65 years since the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade has political significance, even though Serbia does not have the status of a permanent member. Today, we have 121 permanent members of the Non-Aligned Movement, mostly countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, which have a significant role in the United Nations, and their vote in the General Assembly carries the same weight as the vote of the United States, the United Kingdom or France. It is very important to bear this in mind because Resolution 1244, concerning Kosovo and Metohija, remains in force. And if the UN were one day to decide again on sovereignty and territorial integrity and the return of Kosovo within Serbia, those votes would be very significant. More than 80 Non-Aligned countries have not recognized Kosovo as an independent republic, but instead respect Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty“, Sajn stresses.

He adds that the principles on which the Non-Aligned Movement was founded, in modified form, can also be found among the foundations of China's and BRICS' foreign policies.

„In fact, what is being sought here is respect for territorial integrity, respect for sovereignty, mutual trade, respect for security and non-aggression“, our interlocutor notes.

Speaking about the pressure exerted by major powers on developing countries, Sajn notes that the countries of the Global South cannot remain completely immune to economic and political influences, but that the basis of their actions is the UN Charter, which Serbia also insists upon.

„That Charter contains precisely the principle that Serbia is promoting, and this gathering in Belgrade, held one week before the General Assembly, will send an important political message precisely about advocating for territorial integrity and sovereignty, that is, the principles of the United Nations, which call for respect for international law. And this will be one of the starting points for shaping the future United Nations with a new secretary-general. That is why it is very important for us to have good relations with the Non-Aligned countries, because they have 121 votes in the UN General Assembly“, Sajn concludes.