The NAM summit kicked off in Tehran on August 26, 2012 and is scheduled to end on August 31.
Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy says the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) must play a more prominent role in international and regional relations.
Increasing cooperation and unifying stances among the NAM member states would boost the movement’s efficiency and decision-making power, Ramzy said upon arrival in Iran's capital, Tehran, on Sunday to attend the NAM summit.
More than 100 countries are partaking in the NAM summit that kicked off in Tehran on Sunday and is scheduled to end on August 31.
At the opening ceremony of the NAM expert-level meeting, Iran assumed the rotating presidency of the movement for three years. Egypt's Ambassador to the United Nations Moataz Khalil formally handed over the presidency to Iran.
Ramzy added that NAM should play a more effective role in regional and international disputes and equations.
NAM, an international organization with 120 member states, is considered as not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
The Egyptian official said Cairo seeks good relations with all countries including Iran based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
Relations between Tehran and Cairo have increased in significance after the victory of the popular revolution in Egypt, Ramzy added.
Iran and Egypt severed ties more than 30 years ago after Cairo signed the 1978 Camp David Accords with the Israeli regime and offered asylum to the deposed Iranian dictator, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
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