Bearing in mind the objectives of the foundation of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (‘the Agency’), and in order for the Agency to carry out its tasks properly, the precise thematic areas of its activity are to be determined by a Multiannual Framework covering five years as provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 of 15 February 2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (1).
(2)
The first Multiannual Framework was adopted by the Council in Decision 2008/203/EC of 28 February 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012 (2).
(3)
The Multiannual Framework should be conducted only within the scope of Union law.
(4)
The Multiannual Framework should be in line with the Union’s priorities, taking due account of the orientations resulting from the European Parliament resolutions and Council conclusions in the field of fundamental rights.
(5)
The Multiannual Framework should have due regard to the Agency’s financial and human resources.
(6)
The Multiannual Framework should include provisions with a view to ensuring complementarity with the remit of other Union bodies, offices and agencies, as well as with the Council of Europe and other international organisations active in the field of fundamental rights. The most relevant Union agencies and bodies in relation to this Multiannual Framework are the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) established by Regulation (EU) No 439/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (Frontex) established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 (4), the European Migration Network established by Council Decision 2008/381/EC (5), the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) established by Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) established by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7), Eurojust, the Union’s judicial cooperation unit established by Council Decision 2002/187/JHA (8), the European Police Office (Europol) established by Council Decision 2009/371/JHA (9), the European Police College (CEPOL) established by Council Decision 2005/681/JHA (10), the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (IT Agency) established by Regulation (EU) No 1077/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11) and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 (12).
(7)
The Multiannual Framework should include the fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance amongst the thematic areas of the Agency’s activity.
(8)
In view of the importance of the fight against poverty and social exclusion for the Union, which has made it one of the five targets of the Europe 2020 growth strategy, the Agency should take into consideration the economic and social preconditions enabling an effective enjoyment of fundamental rights when collecting and disseminating data within the thematic areas established by this Decision.
(9)
The Agency, upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, provided its financial and human resources so permit, may work outside the thematic areas determined in the Multiannual Framework, in accordance with Article 5(3) of the Regulation (EC) No 168/2007. In accordance with the Stockholm Programme — An open and secure Europe serving and protecting citizens (13), adopted by the European Council, the institutions should make full use of the expertise of the Agency, and where appropriate consult the Agency, in line with its mandate, on the development of policies and legislation with implications for fundamental rights.
(10)
The Commission, when preparing its proposal, consulted the Management Board of the Agency and received written comments on 18 October 2011,
