96 Rule of Law PART II Underlining also the importance of the rule of law as a cross-dimensional issue for ensuring the respect for human rights and democracy, security and stability, good governance, mutual economic and trade relations, investment security and a favourable business climate as well as its role in the fight against corruption, organized crime and all kinds of illegal trafficking including in drugs and weapons as well as trafficking in human beings, thus serving as a basis for political, economic, social and environmental development in the participating States, (…) 2. Calls on participating States to contribute, where appropriate, to OSCE projects and programmes supporting the rule of law; (…) 4. Encourages participating States, with the assistance, where appropriate, of relevant OSCE executive structures in accordance with their mandates and within existing resources, to continue and to enhance their efforts to share information and best practices and to strengthen the rule of law, inter alia in the following areas: • (…) effective administration of justice, right to a fair trial, access to court, accountability of state institutions and officials, respect for the rule of law in public administration, the right to legal assistance (…); (…) • Adherence to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes; (…) • Efficient legislation and an administrative and judicial framework in order to facilitate economic activities, trade and investments in participating States and between them; • Respect for the rule of law with regard to the protection of the natural environment in the OSCE area; • Awareness-raising for issues related to the rule of law in courts, law enforcement agencies, police and penitentiary systems as well as in training for legal professionals; • Education on the rule of law as well as interaction and exchange opportunities for legal professionals, academics and law students from different participating States in the OSCE region; • The role of constitutional courts or comparable institutions of the participating States as an instrument to ensure that the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights are observed in all state institutions; • The provision of effective legal remedies, where appropriate, and the access thereto; • The observation of rule of law standards and practices in the criminal justice system; • The fight against corruption; (…) Athens 2009 (Decisions: Decision No. 7/09 on Women’s Participation in Political and Public Life) The Ministerial Council, (…)