participation”, which will be held today, and “The Minorities Declaration: Challenges and opportunities”, scheduled for tomorrow. Madam Chairperson, Ladies and gentlemen, While still at its early stage, this Forum can certainly build on its achievements, by taking full advantage of the variety of stakeholders present in this same room, and strive to forge an inter-active and productive dialogue, which will hopefully continue beyond these two days. I trust that this meeting will contribute to a better understanding of “meaningful and effective political participation of minorities” and of the existing standards and principles, and strive for an improved inter-cultural approach to political participation based on the sharing of good practices. I wish to conclude by expressing, once again, the Human Rights Council’s full support to your work and by wishing you a very successful second session of the Forum on Minority Issues. Thank you.