Russian expert says Azerbaijan's chairmanship in Non-Aligned Movement 'symbolic'

"The Non-Aligned Movement is a powerful union of states that do not want to enter into antagonism with anyone and do not intend to oppose themselves with anyone but try to preserve their sovereignty. It is very symbolic that Azerbaijan today is the chairman of this organization because for many years this country manages to maneuver between different interests, maintaining its independent position, despite the pressure from different sides," Andrei Ivanov, Director of the Russian Center for Strategic Analysis of the Institute for Innovative Development, told Report's Russian bureau.

According to the expert, Azerbaijan has retained its independence, the secular nature of the state, has its own precise and clear development project, which corresponds to its capabilities and resources, and at the same time, does not enter into conflict with anyone. During the years of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan has always sought a compromise with the Armenian side, proposed various initiatives that could resolve the situation peacefully, and has never participated in geopolitical games on anyone's side: "These are the principles Azerbaijan demonstrates by example. Therefore, its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement is quite logical."

"The preservation of the Non-Aligned Movement and its principles in itself speaks of the preservation of the humane features in a human. Azerbaijan helped the organization to survive in this difficult period. Under the chairmanship of this country, the Non-Aligned Movement did not cease to exist and did not change its ideas. This is already great merit and a great contribution. And this is the most important thing," Ivanov concluded.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke at the conference of the Non-Aligned Movement.