This Decision establishes for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 the European Fund for integration of third-country nationals (hereinafter referred to as the Fund), as part of a coherent framework which also includes Decision No 573/2007/EC, Decision No 574/2007/EC and Decision No 575/2007/EC, in order to contribute to the strengthening of the area of freedom, security and justice and the application of the principle of solidarity between the Member States.

This Decision defines the objectives to which the Fund contributes, its implementation, the available financial resources and the distribution criteria for the allocation of the available financial resources.

It establishes the Fund's management rules, including financial rules, as well as monitoring and control mechanisms based on the sharing of responsibilities between the Commission and the Member States.

Third-country nationals who are on the territory of a third country and who are complying with specific pre-departure measures and/or conditions set out in national law, including those relating to the ability to integrate in the society of this Member State fall under the scope of this Decision.

Third-country nationals who have applied for asylum in respect of which a final decision has not yet been taken, or enjoy refugee or subsidiary protection status, or qualify as refugees or are eligible for subsidiary protection in accordance with Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third-country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted11, shall be excluded from the scope of this Decision.

Third-country national means any person who is not a citizen of the Union within the meaning of Article 17(1) of the Treaty.