136 PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS Union and its 27 member States, candidate countries and countries which have concluded a stabilization and association agreement with the European Union can also be invited to participate in its activities.164 The Agency for Fundamental Rights is not empowered to examine individual complaints or exercise regulatory decision-making powers. It does not monitor the situation regarding fundamental rights in EU countries for the purposes of article 7 of the Treaty on European Union (which provides for the possibility of action against a member State in case of a serious fundamental rights violation), nor does it deal with the legality of EU acts and their legal transposition by member States into national law. Information and data collection and analysis The Agency for Fundamental Rights collects and analyses official and unofficial information and data on fundamental rights issues within the European Union. Given the differences in data availability and quality across the European Union, the Agency is also developing methods and standards to improve data quality and comparability. However, since such secondary data are often not available, it conducts its own EU-wide research and surveys and encourages others to do so.165 In its research work, the Agency examines contributory factors as well as development policies which affect fundamental rights. A very important part of its work is to identify positive initiatives which promote respect for and protection of fundamental rights. It publishes an annual report on fundamental rights in the European Union and thematic reports based on its research and surveys, highlighting examples of good practice regarding fundamental rights. It also regularly publishes reports and publications covering minority issues.166 Networking and cooperation The Agency for Fundamental Rights works to support an environment in which the promotion and protection of fundamental rights at all levels of society will become a natural reflex. Engaging with stakeholders – the wider human rights community and both national and local service providers and users – is an essential part of its mandate. The Agency is adapting its work to make use of the new communications environment, including social networks and social media. As an EU body, the Agency works with all relevant EU institutions and advisory bodies. It also works closely with the Council of Europe, OSCE, the United Nations and UNESCO. Cooperation with civil society and awareness-raising In accordance with its establishing regulation, the Agency promotes dialogue with civil society and works closely with NGOs and civil society institutions active in the field of fundamental rights. In 2008, in order to improve dialogue and coordination with all relevant stakeholders, the Agency launched the Fundamental Rights Platform, a network for cooperation and information exchange between itself and civil society.167 The Platform is open to all interested and qualified civil society organizations based in any one of the EU member States, including human rights NGOs, trade unions, employers’ organizations, relevant social and professional organizations, churches, religious, philosophical and non-confessional organizations, universities and experts from European and international bodies. The stabilization and association process is the framework for EU negotiations with Western Balkan countries which will lead to their eventual accession. 164 See http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/research/research_en.htm (accessed 4 December 2012). 165 Available from http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/publications (accessed 4 December 2012). 166 See http://fra.europa.eu/en/cooperation/civil-society/about-frp (accessed 4 December 2012). 167