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A number of proposals were submitted for consideration by the Meeting and, following their deliberations, the representatives of the participating States adopted this Report.
The text of the Report of the Geneva Meeting of Experts on National Minorities will be published in each participating State, which will disseminate it and make it known as widely as possible.
The representatives of the participating States note that the Council will take into account the summing up of the Meeting, in accordance with the Charter of Paris for a New Europe.
I.
Recognizing that their observance and full exercise of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, including those of persons belonging to national minorities, are the foundation of the New Europe,
Reaffirming their deep conviction that friendly relations among their peoples, as well as peace, justice, stability and democracy, require that the
ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities be
protected, and conditions for the promotion of that identity be created,
Convinced that, in States with national minorities, democracy requires that all persons, including those belonging to national minorities, enjoy full
and effective equality of rights and fundamental freedoms and benefit from the
rule of law and democratic institutions,
Aware of the diversity of situations and constitutional systems in their
countries, and therefore recognizing that various approaches to the implementation of CSCE commitments regarding national minorities are appropriate,
Mindful of the importance of exerting efforts to address national
minorities issues, particularly in areas where democratic institutions are
being consolidated and questions relating to national minorities are of
special concern,
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