to language. However, in our opinion this does not represent a sufficient basis for the sustainable and comprehensive protection of minority rights. In our view, close cooperation with relevant international and regional monitoring and advisory mechanisms is key. Austria has secured the protection and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to minorities through adherence to additional regional instruments, namely the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Both include periodic reporting and evaluation requirements. In October this year, Austria invited the Committee of Experts under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to follow up on its recent recommendations. As a result, Austria committed to conduct a process of dialogue among relevant ministries and provincial authorities based on a survey of existing measures to protect and promote regional or minority languages in all provinces. In addition, mapping out areas where regional or minority languages are spoken in Austria will be considered. We also value the work of other regional organizations, such as the OSCE, which provides guidance to participating states through the Oslo Recommendations on how best to ensure the linguistic rights of national minorities within their borders. Madame Chair, Before closing let me offer the following two recommendations: States should ratify and adhere to all international and regional human rights instruments that protect and promote the rights of minorities. States should ensure that persons belonging to minorities are able to access the justice system to pursue claims for linguistically and culturally appropriate education.