A/HRC/15/44 breaches of the Code of Conduct by mandate holders. Participants also raised issues regarding cooperation on country visits, and the selection and appointment of new mandate holders. B. Exchange of views with the President of the Human Rights Council and members of the Bureau 16. Participants had an exchange with the President of the Human Rights Council, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow (Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office at Geneva), and members of the Bureau, Ms. Bente Angell-Hansen (Permanent Representative of Norway), Mr. Arcanjo Maria Do Nascimento (Permanent Representative of Angola), Mr. Fedor Rosocha (Permanent Representative of Slovakia), and Mr. Juan Quintanilla, representing Mr. Rodolfo Reyes Rodríguez (Permanent Representative of Cuba). 17. The President indicated that his presidency would focus on nurturing a constructive, inclusive and transparent dialogue among all stakeholders, including States, civil society and mandate holders. The challenge of the upcoming Human Rights Council review provided opportunities and challenges, and he indicated that he was considering the proposal of his predecessor on the modalities of the review, including the meetings of the working group. 18. The President emphasized that the special procedures were a vital component of the United Nations human rights system. He would therefore strive to work with mandate holders to ensure a more productive and enhanced constructive dialogue between them and the Council. The President and Bureau members noted the need for an environment of mutual respect and assured special procedures of their support. Mandate holders called for support for their independence and cooperation by States, as well as for greater follow-up to their work. They proposed the enhancement of interactive dialogues and suggested their work should be more integrated into the Council, especially with regard to the universal periodic review. C. Exchange of views with States 19. Mandate holders thanked States for the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue, and assured States of their intention to contribute to the improvement of the work and functioning of the Council, in particular with regard to enhancing the interaction and cooperation between special procedures and the Council. Mandate holders emphasized the importance of according them the possibility of participating in the Council review process as equal partners. 20. States stressed the importance of having direct exchanges with mandate holders in addition to interactive dialogues during Council sessions, and expressed support for the work of special procedures. Participants stressed the importance of preserving the independence, objectivity and impartiality of special procedures. Strategies to enhance cooperation between States and mandate holders were discussed, including: standing invitations; country visits; responses to communications, which should be both timely and substantive; follow-up to recommendations contained in thematic and country reports; and interactive dialogues between mandate holders and States. It was acknowledged that mandate holders faced a challenging task in fulfilling their mandates given available resources and capacity, and that continued and increased support was required from all stakeholders to achieve the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground for all. 7