In view of the importance and the added value of the instrument, the Council decided to resume examination of the Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia as a matter of urgency.
To give the new Member States time to examine the text, the Council requested its preparatory bodies to examine the draft Framework Decision on the basis of the text put before the JHA Council at its meeting on 27 and 28 February 2003. The JHA Council will return to this Framework Decision at its next meeting.
It is recalled that in July 1996, the Council adopted Joint Action 96/443/JHA concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia. This instrument contains provisions to harmonise the criminal law of Member States and to improve mutual assistance in combating racism and xenophobia.