L 283/40 Official Journal of the European Union 14.10.2006 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 5 October 2006 on the establishment of a mutual information mechanism concerning Member States’ measures in the areas of asylum and immigration (2006/688[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 66 thereof, (3) Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Whereas: (), On 4 November 2004 the European Council endorsed a multi-annual ~ programme, known as the Hague Programme, for strengthening the area of freedom, security and justice, which calls for the development of the second phase of a common policy in the field of ) asylum, migration, visas and borders, which started on 1 May 2004, based, inter alia, on closer practical co- operation between Member States and an improved exchange of information. (2)  The development of common asylum and immigration policies since the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam has resulted in closer interdependency between Member States” policies in these areas, making (6) (") Opinion delivered on 3 May 2006. Not yet published in the Official Journal. the need for a more coordinated approach of national policies essential for strengthening the area of freedom, security and justice. In conclusions adopted at its meeting of 14 April 2005, the Justice and Home Affairs Council called for the estab- lishment of a system of mutual information between those in charge of migration and asylum policy in the Member States, based on the necessity to communicate information on measures considered likely to have a significant impact on several Member States or on the European Union as a whole and allowing for an exchange of views between Member States and the Commission at the request of any one of the Member States or the Commission. The information mechanism should be based on soli- darity, transparency and mutual confidence and should provide a flexible, rapid and non-bureaucratic channel for exchanging information and views on national asylum and immigration measures at European Union level. For the purposes of the application of this Decision, national asylum and immigration measures which are likely to have a significant impact on several Member States or on the European Union as a whole may comprise policy intentions, long-term programming, draft and adopted legislation, final decisions of the highest courts or tribunals which apply or interpret measures of national law and administrative decisions affecting a significant number of persons. Communication of the relevant information should take place at the latest when the measures concerned be- come publicly available. Member States are however encouraged to transmit it as soon as possible.