The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Baroness Sarah LUDFORD (ELDR, UK) concerning the status of third-country national who are long-term residents. (Please refer to the summary dated 21/11/01).
To recall, the aim of the proposal is to appropriate the national legislation and practice regarding the granting of long-term resident status to third-country nationals who are legally resident in the country in question, as well as to determine the conditions under which they made reside in an EU state other than the one which first granted them this status.
Under the Commission proposal the status of long-term residence would be granted to individuals who have legally and continuously, for five years, lived in the Member State concerned.
The proposal also provides for long-term residents to enjoy equal treatment with nationals in employment, education, social protection and assistance, social and tax benefits, freedom of association and the right to join trade unions. Parliament believes that this should be extended to include participation in public life at local level, exercise of cultural and religious activities as well as the right of access to the law. It is also stated that Member States shall take the necessary measures required to prevent discrimination in practice and to remedy cases of discrimination.�