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Non-Aligned Summit, Unclear Purpose, Dull International Attendance | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C) arrives in Venezuela’s Caribbean island of Margarita for the 17th Non-Aligned Summit in Venezuela September 14, 2016. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS


Porlamar, Venezuela- The 17th session of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was inaugurated on Saturday in Venezuela, trying to escape its international isolation and witnessing a severe economic and political crisis.

This meeting coincides with national pressure being exerted on Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro since the right-wing opposition, which represents the majority of the parliament, is seeking to hold a survey to dismiss the president before the end of 2016.

One hundred twenty countries founded NAM, 50 years ago, during the Cold War; however the number of countries participating in the summit was not mentioned. Moreover, Venezuela is chairing the sessions instead of Iran since three years.

Maduro stated that he will exploit this historic summit chance to face the pro-imperialism right-wing party, knowing that he previously accused Washington of supporting the opposition to plan a coup.

The attendance was shy and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani was among the arrivals. From its part, Venezuela hopes to garner support for its campaign from oil producing countries in order to enhance oil prices.

This week however proved that Venezuela’s isolation is increasing in the international arena after the founding countries of the Common Market of the South withdrew regular presidency from Caracas. These countries are: Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Venezuela expressed its rejection over this decision, which complicated matters in this regional bloc which was established in 1991. The summit is accompanied with an international tension in Venezuela whose economy is devastating as crude oil prices decline. The country has even started to undergo the worst inflation in the world.

An analyst said, “What is the goal of Maduro? Is it to deceive others that nothing is happening here? Maduro wants to avoid further losses after he lost his legislation on the national level.”

The opposition from its part accused the government of spending millions on this event that only aims to give a fake good image.