L 168/18 Official Journal of the European Union 28.6.2007 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COUNCIL 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’ (2007/435[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 63(3)(a) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: (1)  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. (2)  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 () Opinion of 14 February 2006 (O] C 88, 11.4.2006, p. 15). () Opinion of 16 November 2005 (O] C 115, 16.5.2006, p. 47). (®) Opinion of 14 December 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). 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