STATEMENTby the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Communities, meeting within the Council, concerning refugees(85/C 210/02)

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL, Having regard to the statement on refugees made at the 128th meeting of the Council, held in Brussels on 25 March 1964, at which the Council adopted the Regulation on freedom of movement for workers within the Community and the Directive on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for workers from Member States and their families, Anxious to take account of the special situation of refugees in the spirit of the international instruments in force; having regard also to the wishes expressed by the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Whereas, by virtue of the abovementioned statement, refugees employed in the activities referred to in the Directive 85/384/EEC (1) are to enjoy the most favourable treatment possible; Anxious to grant to refugees resident in a Member State and pursuing an activity on a self-employed basis the same treatment as that granted to those pursuing this activity as employed persons; Noting that the situation of refugees cannot be dealt with under the provisions of the Treaty concerning the right of establishment and freedom to provide services, HEREBY STATE THAT: the taking up and pursuit in their territories of an activity as a self-employed person covered by Directive 85/384/EEC, in respect of establishment or the provision of services, by refugees recognized as such within the meaning of the Convention of 1951 and established in the territory of another Member State, must be given especially favourable consideration, in particular in order to accord such refugees the most favourable treatment possible in their territories. (1) OJ No L 223, 21. 8. 1985.