Decision 2007/435 - 2007/435/EC: Council Decision of 25 June 2007 establishing the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals for the period 2007 to 2013 as part of the General programme Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 168/18

With a view to the progressive establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice, the Treaty provides both for the adoption of measures aimed at ensuring the free movement of persons, in conjunction with accompanying measures relating to external borders controls, asylum and immigration, and for the adoption of measures relating to asylum, immigration and safeguarding the rights of third-country nationals.

The European Council, at its meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999, stated that the European Union must ensure fair treatment of third-country nationals who reside legally on the territory of its Member States. A more vigorous integration policy should aim at granting them rights and obligations comparable to those of European Union citizens. It should also enhance non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural life and develop measures against racism and xenophobia.

The integration of third-country nationals in the Member States is a key element in promoting economic and social cohesion, a fundamental objective of the Community stated in the Treaty. However, having regard to the Treaty, the European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals (hereinafter referred to as the Fund) should be primarily targeted at newly-arrived third-country nationals, as far as the co-financing of concrete actions supporting the integration process in Member States is concerned.

In the Hague Programme of 4 and 5 November 2004, the European Council underlines that to achieve the objective of stability and cohesion within Member States' societies it is essential to develop effective policies. It calls for greater coordination of national integration policies on the basis of a common framework and invites the Member States, the Council and the Commission to promote the structural exchange of experience and information on integration.

As requested in the Hague Programme, the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States established on 19 November 2004‘Common Basic Principles for immigrant integration policy in the European Union’ (hereinafter referred to as the Common Basic Principles). The Common Basic Principles assist Member States in formulating integration policies by offering them a thoughtful guide of basic principles against which they can judge and assess their own efforts.

The Common Basic Principles are complementary to and in full synergy with the Community legislative instruments on the admission and stay of legally residing third-country nationals concerning family reunion and long term residents, and other relevant existing legislative frameworks, including those relating to gender equality, non-discrimination and social inclusion.

Recalling the Communication of the Commission of 1 September 2005 on a common Agenda for Integration: framework for the integration of third country nationals in the European Union, the Council Conclusions on that Agenda of 1 and 2 December 2005 underline the need to strengthen the integration policies of the Member...