24.4.2015 Official Journal of the European Union L 106/1 (Legislative acts) DIRECTIVES COUNCIL DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/637 of 20 April 2015 on the coordination and cooperation measures to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries and repealing Decision 95/553/EC THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 23 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, Whereas: (1)  Citizenship of the Union is the fundamental status of nationals of the Member States. The right to enjoy, in the territory of a third country in which the Member State of which they are nationals is not represented, the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of another Member State on the same conditions as the nationals of that State is one of the specific rights that point (c) of Article 20(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) grants to citizens of the Union. (2)  The Treaty of Lisbon reinforced the status of citizenship of the Union and strengthened the rights attached to it. Article 23 TFEU thus provides for the adoption of directives establishing the cooperation and coordination measures necessary to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union. (3)  The values on which the Union is founded include solidarity, non-discrimination and respect for human rights; in its relations with the wider world the Union should uphold its values and contribute to the protection of its citizens. The fundamental right to consular protection of unrepresented citizens of the Union under the same conditions as nationals, enshrined in Article 46 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), is an expression of European solidarity. It provides an external dimension to the concept of citizenship of the Union and strengthens the identity of the Union in third countries. (4)  The aim of this Directive is to lay down the cooperation and coordination measures necessary to further facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union. Those measures should enhance legal certainty as well as efficient cooperation and solidarity among consular authorities. (5)  In accordance with point (c) of Article 20(2) TFEU and Article 23 TFEU, Member States should provide consular protection to unrepresented citizens on the same conditions as to their own nationals. This Directive does not affect Member States’ competence to determine the scope of the protection to be provided to their own nationals. (6)  This Directive does not affect consular relations between Member States and third countries, in particular their rights and obligations arising from international customs and agreements, in particular from the Convention (") Opinion of 25 October 2012 (not yet published in the Official Journal).