A/HRC/4/43 page 7 initiatives as well as in thematic debates and emergency sessions; and encouraging its members to respond to each specific recommendation made by special procedures mandate-holders in their reports. 22. Mandate-holders also requested that the work of the special procedures be central (among others) to the system of universal periodic review (UPR), inter alia by ensuring that the measure of cooperation given to special procedures is a central criteria used to assess States in the spirit of cooperation and constructive dialogue called for in General Assembly resolution 60/251 on the Human Rights Council. 23. Mandate-holders invited the Council to encourage States to strengthen cooperation with special procedures by calling on States to: extend standing invitations; promptly provide substantive replies to special procedures’ communications; promptly respond to requests for country visits; and implement the recommendations submitted after the visit. 24. Finally, mandate-holders requested the Human Rights Council to become an active participant in monitoring and urging State implementation of recommendations emerging from mandate-holders’ mission reports and communications and to recognize the fundamental role of NGOs, regional and national human rights institutions as key partners of the Council and special procedures. 25. During the exchange of views with the Human Rights Council, which took place on 23 June 2006, almost all delegations reiterated that special procedures were an essential element of the human rights system and that the Council would greatly benefit from their expertise and expert advice. It was repeatedly stated by Governments’ delegations as well as NGOs that the reform should be guided by the principles of impartiality, independence and expertise. A number of NGOs urged States to ensure that review would focus on strengthening the special procedures. 26. The crucial importance of maintaining the independence of the special procedures system was highlighted. Some delegations also stressed that special procedures, in order to function effectively, needed the cooperation of States, in particular in the context of country visits and responses to communications. In this connection members of the Council were called upon to extend open invitations to all special procedures. It was stressed that follow-up to special procedures’ findings and recommendations should represent an important element of UPR. The need to ensure closer cooperation between procedures, including in the context of country visits, so as to ensure broader geographic coverage, was flagged. 27. A number of delegations stressed the need to ensure that the review of mandates addressed issues such as selectivity, politicization and double standards. The need to avoid duplications was also emphasized. The revised Manual was welcomed by delegations as a positive step. The need to ensure more coherence in the methods of work and to ensure independence from all stake-holders was raised by some delegations. The need to improve the appointment procedures was also raised. 28. Several delegations welcomed the involvement of the Coordination Committee in the discussions on the reform. It was suggested that periodic meetings between the Committee and regional groups should be held.