level of protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities has clearly risen overall. Now laws containing detailed guarantees for the use and learning of minority languages, for instance, administrative frameworks for their implementation have improved, consultative mechanisms have been created to ensure that the views and concerns of minority representatives are given due account before relevant policy decisions are taken, such as in the area of culture, education, regional development, or the promotion of effective participation in public life. These improvements have clearly led to the prevention of minority rights violations as such, as well as, in a number of instances, have prevented a difficult situation from deteriorating and possibly becoming a threat to the stability in the country.