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encouragement of grassroots community relations efforts between minority communities, between majority and minority communities, and between neighbouring communities sharing borders, aimed at helping to prevent local tensions from arising and address conflicts peacefully should they arise; and
encouragement of the establishment of permanent mixed commissions, either inter-State or regional, to facilitate continuing dialogue between the border regions concerned.
The participating States are of the view that these or other approaches, individually or in combination, could be helpful in improving the situation of national minorities on their territories.
V.
The participating States respect the right of persons belonging to national minorities to exercise and enjoy their rights alone or in community
with others, to establish and maintain organizations and associations within
their country, and to participate in international non-governmental organizations.
The participating States reaffirm, and will not hinder the exercise of, ·
the right of persons belonging to national minorities to establish and
maintain their own educational, cultural and religious institutions, organizations and associations.
In this regard, they recognize the major and vital role that individuals, non-governmental organizations, and religious and other groups play in fostering cross-cultural understanding and improving relations at all levels of society, as well as across international frontiers.
They believe that the first-hand observations and experience of such
organizations, groups, and individuals can be of great value in promoting the implementation of CSCE commitments relating to persons belonging to national minorities. They therefore will encourage and not hinder the work of such
organizations, groups and individuals and welcome their contributions in this
area.