-2- Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities The member States of the Council of Europe and the other States, signatories to the present framework Convention, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage; Considering that one of the methods by which that aim is to be pursued is the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms; Wishing to follow-up the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the member States of the Council of Europe adopted in Vienna on 9 October 1993; Being resolved to protect within their respective territories the existence of national minorities; Considering that the upheavals of European history have shown that the protection of national minorities is essential to stability, democratic security and peace in this continent; Considering that a pluralist and genuinely democratic society should not only respect the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of each person belonging to a national minority, but also create appropriate conditions enabling them to express, preserve and develop this identity; Considering that the creation of a climate of tolerance and dialogue is necessary to enable cultural diversity to be a source and a factor, not of division, but of enrichment for each society; Considering that the realisation of a tolerant and prosperous Europe does not depend solely on co-operation between States but also requires transfrontier co-operation between local and regional authorities without prejudice to the constitution and territorial integrity of each State; Having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the Protocols thereto; Having regard to the commitments concerning the protection of national minorities in United Nations conventions and declarations and in the documents of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, particularly the Copenhagen Document of 29 June 1990; Being resolved to define the principles to be respected and the obligations which flow from them, in order to ensure, in the member States and such other States as may become Parties to the present instrument, the effective protection of national minorities and of the rights and freedoms of persons belonging to those minorities, within the rule of law, respecting the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of states; Being determined to implement the principles set out in this framework Convention through national legislation and appropriate governmental policies, Have agreed as follows: