A/RES/56/216 8. Welcomes the decisions to strengthen cooperation in the economic and environmental sphere and to enhance the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in police-related activities; 9. Also welcomes the documents of the Ministerial Council meeting in Bucharest on enhancing the effectiveness of the human dimension meetings of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, promoting tolerance and nondiscrimination, combating trafficking in human beings, improving the situation of Roma and Sinti, and on promoting equal opportunities for women and men and the continued close cooperation between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; 10. Notes with appreciation the active involvement of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its commitment to continue to contribute substantially to conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict stabilization in the region, thereby fostering peace and stability in the area; 11. Welcomes the establishment and the work of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to assist further progress in the consolidation of democracy, the strengthening of the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities; 12. Expresses its appreciation for the contribution by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to implementing Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999, in particular for its substantial role in the preparation and organization of the Kosovo-wide election on 17 November 2001, in view of the consolidation of stability and prosperity in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, on the basis of substantial autonomy, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, pending a final settlement, in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999); 13. Salutes the commitment of participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitary character of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and their offer to assist and support strongly the full and timely implementation of the Framework Agreement concluded on 13 August 2001, including the programmes on police training and reform, media and inter-ethnic relations; 14. Supports the priorities of the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for the continuous development of civil society and for increasing local ownership of the reform process in Bosnia and Herzegovina; 15. Commends the efforts to improve the coordination and efficiency of international engagement in the field of civilian implementation of the Dayton/Paris peace accords, 4 as well as a timely decision on the best options for the succession of the United Nations International Police Task Force to allow for a smooth and comprehensive transition; _______________ 4 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the annexes thereto, initialled in Dayton, United States of America, on 21 November 1995 and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995 (A/50/790-S/1995/999). 3