BELGRADE — Representing Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed Al-Kheraiji, participated in the high-level meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, marking the 65th anniversary of the inaugural Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference.
During his address, Al-Kheraiji expressed gratitude to Serbian President Aleksandar Vuĉić and his administration for organizing the event amid escalating global challenges. He explained that Saudi Arabia views the mitigation of tensions not as a passing objective, but as a crucial step that allows nations to shift their focus toward long-term development and the enhancement of their citizens' livelihoods. He urged regional states to reject actions that escalate tensions and instead foster shared interests that prioritize stability as the basis for growth.
Al-Kheraiji highlighted that Saudi Arabia has remained dedicated to the founding principles of the NAM since its inception. These principles include upholding the sovereignty and independent decision-making of nations, alongside rejecting the use of force to settle disputes. He noted that the Kingdom's foreign policy reflects this stance by prioritizing dialogue, expanding cooperative international relations, and backing initiatives designed to limit conflict and promote global peace.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister emphasized the value of the NAM in coordinating international action, specifically noting its historical support for just causes, including the Palestinian issue and Middle East stability. He called for sustained cooperation through the United Nations and the NAM to champion peaceful political options and maintain adherence to international law. Al-Kheraiji specifically referenced Security Council Resolution 2817 in relation to safeguarding the freedom of navigation in international waterways.
Addressing the lack of political solutions in the Middle East, Al-Kheraiji pointed to the ongoing crimes by Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip and other occupied territories, as well as attacks on Syria, which violate state sovereignty and drive regional instability. He reiterated that a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region is impossible without a fast-tracked, just, and final resolution to the Palestinian issue.
Concluding his remarks, the Deputy Minister affirmed that Saudi Arabia views regional security as a collective duty. He stated that long-term stability relies on mutual understandings that prevent confrontations, which is why the Kingdom maintains open channels of communication, supports mediation efforts, and encourages addressing the core origins of tension before they escalate.
