GENEVA, Jan 28 (MENA) - Egypt is determined to press ahead with efforts to meet the aspirations of its people, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty.

The State gives top priority to fulfilling the aspirations of the people in safeguarding their rights and freedoms, he affirmed.

The values of human dignity, justice, equality, non-discrimination and tolerance have become the basic pillars of all national plans, programs and strategies, the minister added in a speech he delivered Tuesday during the universal periodic review of the human rights status in Egypt at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The foreign minister, meanwhile, expressed happiness over the participation of an Egyptian delegation at the session of the universal periodic review of human rights.

He further emphasized Egypt's keenness to interact with this mechanism and with the Human Rights Council in general as an important forum for exchanging experiences, through objective and constructive dialogue based on the foundations of mutual respect and understanding of the circumstances, challenges, and prevailing values in every society. (MORE)

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