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Directorate General of Human Rights - DGII
Secretariat of the Framework Convention for
The Protection of National Minorities

Dear colleagues!
We have pleasure in inviting you to attend a conference to mark the 5th anniversary of the entry into force of the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities organized by the secretariat of Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, in the Palais de l'Europe Strasbourg on 30-31 October 2003.

The aim of this conference is to review the progress made in the implementation of this Council of Europe treaty. It will provide a forum for all participants (national authorities, non-governmental actors, international and regional organizations as well as academics) to exchange their experiences and views in this regard and to discuss the ways in which the findings of the monitoring bodies under Framework Convention could be better taken into account and effectively followed up in the work of all those involved in minority issues, both at the national and international level.

This conference will also examine in depth some of the most salient themes as identified in the Opinions of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and in the Resolutions of the Committee of Ministers.

The conference is in part funded by a generous voluntary contribution by the Hungarian Government, for which the Council of Europe is grateful.

Interpretation will be provided to and from English, French and Russian at the meeting. Please note that interpretation to/from Russian will be provided at only one of the parallel workshops (the workshop concerned is to be determined). All participants are expected to be able to communicate in one of these languages.

The conference will begin at 09h 00 on October and end at 12h 30 on 31 October, in Room 5 of the Palais de l'Europe.

Please note that the Council of Europe is unfortunately not in a position to cover subsistence or travel expenses to this meeting.

Participants will be responsible for finding accomodation in Strasbourg for the conference.

You are requested to bring a passport or identity card and your convocation letter, which should be shown when entering the Council of Europe premises.

If you have any queries regarding the above-mentioned administrative arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Lucie Missemer (tel.: +33 3 90 21 50 40, fax: +33 3 90 21 49 18, e-mail: lucie. missemer@coe.int.). I
f you have any queries regarding the content of the conference, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Stephanie Marsal (tel.: +33 3 90 21 43 28, fax: +33 3 90 21 49 18, e-mail: stephanie.marsal@coe.int.).

Council of Europe http://www.coe.int./minorities