The head of the European Commission's delegation in Cairo said the EU Commission's support to human rights projects in Egypt reflects Europe's support to a process pushed forward by Egyptian stakeholders. He also refused to consider this support as an imposition of European or Western value. Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Wael Aboul Maged said that Egypt is being held accountable in this regard by international mechanisms and the legislative parliament. The head of the EU delegation affirmed that respect for human rights, fundamental liberties, democracy and the rule of law are the EU corner stone. He said so in his speech delivered at a ceremony organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Cairo on Thursday in cooperation with al-Ahram regional journalistic office for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declarations of Human Rights. He added that without human rights there can not be lasting peace and security or sustainable development. He also pointed out that the EU's concern for human rights issues, both inside and outside its borders, comes from this principle and from the partnership agreement with Egypt which came into force four years ago. He also affirmed that a large share of the aid granted by the EU Commission in the framework of the neighborhood policy is allocated to promote human rights, democracy and cooperation in the field of justice and good governance. He also explained that the European Commission is working with the Egyptian government in line with the latter's national policy. He highlighted the civil society's role in promoting human rights through dialogue, reforms and European funding for democracy and human rights. Ambassador Wael Aboul Maged said it is important to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially as it comes at a moment of great official and popular interest in this issue. He said there are several wrong principles surrounding human rights and its global system, such as the idea that such system is hostile to "our culture and habits" and that one does not have to follow it as Arabic, Islamic and Coptic cultures have contributed to setting the principles of international law.
