ACFC/31DOC(2008)001 i) Participation of persons belonging to national minorities in the monitoring of the Framework Convention 142. Participation of persons belonging to national minorities in the monitoring process of the Framework Convention is crucial for achieving a balanced and quality outcome. When preparing State Reports or other written communications required under the Framework Convention or other international treaties pertaining to minority issues, State Parties should respect the principles enshrined in Article 15 of the Framework Convention and consult persons belonging to national minorities. In this and other contexts, it is important that interlocutors, such as consultative bodies, be not perceived as exclusive interlocutors but that State authorities also include other actors, especially minority or/and non-governmental organisations in the consultation process. The Advisory Committee welcomes the inclusion of comments made by minorities and civil society in State Reports, as well as in the Comments on the Advisory Committee’s Opinions. 143. The Advisory Committee also welcomes alternative reports prepared by nongovernmental actors. They often constitute a valuable additional source of information. They are also an evidence of a desire of non-governmental actors to engage in a constructive dialogue based on international human rights norms. 144. It is essential that transparency of the consultation process be ensured and that State Parties make the full text of the Opinions of the Advisory Committee and the Resolutions of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers available to persons belonging to national minorities and to the public at large as early and as widely as possible. The authorities should ensure that these, and other monitoring documents, including the State Report, are made available in local languages so that minorities can take part in the process in an inclusive manner. 145. The Advisory Committee has encouraged State Parties to set up a system of regular consultation providing an opportunity for minority representatives to discuss their concerns between the monitoring cycles of the Framework Convention, be it follow-up seminars or other modalities. This dialogue is crucial to respond to specific concerns and also to build trust and confidence in the implementation of the Framework Convention. It creates a climate of tolerance and dialogue which enables diversity to be a source and a factor, not of division, but of enrichment for each society. 35