All states in the region have declared that they have accepted the principles of democracy. There is no one model for a democratic society, but there are basic principles which must be observed. The most important is the separation of powers , which through a system of checks and balances ensures that no branch of government exercises excessive power. A genuinely independent judiciary is crucial. It is ultimately the judiciary that decides what is legal and what is not, what is right and what is wrong according to the laws of the land.
Real democracy is based on decentralized government.
The principle of subsidiarity must be observed bringing thus democracy close to the individual citizen. Central governments must delegate as much responsibility and tasks as possible to popularly elected local and regional bodies, entitled to own taxation and empowered to decide on how to spend their revenues. Democracy in our time is not a dictatorship of the majority. Any democracy is measured by the way it treats its minorities , especially the most vulnerable groups. Ethnic, linguistic, religious and other minorities must be integrated in the fabric of society - for the common good, yet they must be allowed to define themselves and find fulfillment in their particular identities.