L 16/44 Official Journal of the European Union 23.1.2004 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 63(3) and (4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (!), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (*), Whereas: 1 With a view to the progressive establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice, the Treaty establishing the European Community provides both for the adop- tion of measures aimed at ensuring the free movement of persons, in conjunction with flanking measures relating to external border controls, asylum and immi- gration, and for the adoption of measures relating to asylum, immigration and safeguarding the rights of third-country nationals. The European Council, at its special meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999, stated that the legal status of third-country nationals should be approximated to that of Member States' nationals and that a person who has resided legally in a Member State for a period of time to be determined and who holds a long-term resi- dence permit should be granted in that Member State a set of uniform rights which are as near as possible to those enjoyed by citizens of the European Union. This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The integration of third-country nationals who are long- term residents in the Member States is a key element in promoting economic and social cohesion, a fundamental objective of the Community stated in the Treaty. 240 E, 28.8.2001, p. 79. 284 E, 21.11.2002, p. 102. (t o]c () o]c () O] C 36, 8.2.2002, p. 59. () 0] C 19, 22.1.2002, p. 18. () Member States should give effect to the provisions of this Directive without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteris- tics, language, religion or beliefs, political or other opinions, membership of a national minority, fortune, birth, disabilities, age or sexual orientation. The main criterion for acquiring the status of long-term resident should be the duration of residence in the terri- tory of a Member State. Residence should be both legal and continuous in order to show that the person has put down roots in the country. Provision should be made for a degree of flexibility so that account can be taken of circumstances in which a person might have to leave the territory on a temporary basis. To acquire long-term resident status, third-country nationals should prove that they have adequate resources and sickness insurance, to avoid becoming a burden for the Member State. Member States, when making an assessment of the possession of stable and regular resources may take into account factors such as contri- butions to the pension system and fulfilment of tax obli- gations. Moreover, third-country nationals who wish to acquire and maintain long-term resident status should not constitute a threat to public policy or public security. The notion of public policy may cover a conviction for committing a serious crime. Economic considerations should not be a ground for refusing to grant long-term resident status and shall not be considered as interfering with the relevant conditions. A set of rules governing the procedures for the examina- tion of application for long-term resident status should be laid down. Those procedures should be effective and manageable, taking account of the normal workload of the Member States' administrations, as well as being transparent and fair, in order to offer appropriate legal certainty to those concerned. They should not constitute a means of hindering the exercise of the right of resi- dence.