Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati attended the High Level Meeting of the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council of the UN, which was held in Geneva. Albania, which is a member state of this Council since 2015 remains engaged on the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, stressing that justice, education, social inclusion and equality are important elements in strengthening peace, security and sustainable development.

In his address, Minister Bushati praised the contribution of the Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner of the UN, on promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide.

Dwelling on the fight against violent extremism Minister Bushati underlined Albania's efforts in this field and reaffirmed the commitment of our country to take part and head initiatives which aim at preventing and combating extremism.

Minister Bushati pointed out the national efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, especially that of women, youth and children, the rights of minorities, etc., in accordance with international commitments and the European integration process. For Albania, religious tolerance is the backbone of a civilized culture and society, and an encouraging model that is internationally evaluated.

“Albania has always attached special attention to the protection and respect of the rights of minorities. We are now working to prepare and adopt a new, updated framework law on minorities, in conformity with the European Framework Convention on National Minorities and the best international standards”, stated Minister Bushati.

Dwelling on the deterioration of the human rights situation in countries like South Sudan, Burundi, DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), Myanmar and the eastern part of Ukraine, he voiced that Albania remains deeply concerned about the ongoing violence and encourages each country to fully comply with international humanitarian law.

On the margins of the high-level meeting of the Human Rights Council, Minister Bushati held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Kazakhstan and that of Mongolia. Throughout these meetings were discussed bilateral relations, focusing on trade and tourism as well as cooperation within international organizations etc. With the Foreign Minister of Mongolia, Minister Bushati signed the agreement on abolishing visas for diplomatic and service passports holders.