Havana, Cuba. – “The fact that over 90% of the member countries attended the meeting in Teheran proved Iran’s capacity to successfully host the XVI Summit of the Movement of Not-Aligned Countries (NAM).” Such was the assessment of the round table televised last September 11, whose main guest was Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, Abelardo Moreno.

Moreno chaired the political committee of the segment for experts and senior officials. He pointed out that the Summit successfully addressed issues crucial to the movements’ unity nowadays and commended the appeal to revitalize the movement’s role in defense of developing countries.

The Syrian issue and the lack of political will of the countries involved in the conflict was one of the hottest agenda items. Iran has spared no effort to settle the crisis peacefully. Leonel Nodal, analyst of international affairs, mentioned the proposal to gather "true friends of Syria" that are really interested in a negotiated solution. “The truth, nevertheless, is that the crisis goes on.”

“The problem is”, the panelist said, “some involved parties, contemptuous of this and other international events where political solutions are been sought, keep supporting the armed groups with funds and weapons. They are not anonymous; US government has admitted it is supporting them. Meanwhile, UK and France promote a UN resolution that allows for armed intervention in Syria, which, by the way, has been vetoed by Russia and China in the Security Council", Leonel concluded.

United States and its allies are instrumental in putting an end to the Syrian crisis, as first Cuban Vice-president, Jose Ramon Machado, denounced in his speech at Teheran Summit.

One of the core issues of the summit, in Abelardo Moreno’s view, was NAM principles in the current international situation. They had been adopted in Havana 2006 Summit and were ratified in Iran. "The principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, against unilateral coercive measures are all set forth…,” he concluded.

Consistent with these principles, NAM Summit final declaration condemned US economic blockade against Cuba; advocated Argentinean sovereignty over Malvinas Islands and rejected the constitutional coup d’état in Paraguay. It expressed support to Ecuador in its diplomatic dispute with UK, which resulted from the asylum granted to WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange. Finally, it welcomed Venezuela’s election as host of the next NAM Summit, pointed out the panel of the “Round Table” TV show, anchored by journalist Arleen Rodriguez. By: Urbino Amaya