18.3.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 80/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 491/2004 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 10 March 2004 establishing a programme for financial and technical assistance to third countries in the areas of migration and asylum (AENEAS) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 179(1) and 181la thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) The European Council, at its special meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999, underlined the need for a comprehensive approach to migration addressing poli- tical, human rights and development issues in third countries and regions and called for greater coherence between the internal and external policies of the Euro- pean Union. It stressed the need for more efficient management of migration flows at all their stages and the fact that partnership with third countries would be a key element for the success of such a policy, with a view to promoting co-development. (2)  The European Council of Seville on 21 and 22 June 2002 highlighted the integration of immigration into the Union's relations with third countries and the impor- tance of intensified cooperation with third countries for the management of migration, including the prevention and combating of illegal migration and trafficking in human beings. (3)  In its conclusions of 18 November 2002, the Council asked the Community to consider making appropriate assistance available to third countries for implementing the clause on joint management of migratory flows and compulsory readmission in cases of illegal immigration to be included in any future cooperation, association or equivalent agreement. () O] C 32, 5.2.2004, p. 49. (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 4 December 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 19 February 2004. (4) Improved management of migratory flows, especially certain aspects of migration such as the emigration of highly skilled nationals and the movement of refugees between neighbouring countries, is also a matter of major concern for the development of some countries. The Community's external cooperation and development programmes and policies contribute indirectly to dealing with the main factors causing migratory pressure. More specifically, since the Tampere European Council, the Commission has been trying to incorporate migration- related concerns into the programming of the Commu- nity's external aid in order to give direct support to third countries in their efforts to deal with the problems arising from legal, illegal or forced migration. To underpin this programming, the budgetary authority entered specific appropriations in the general budgets of the European Union from 2001 to 2003 for the finan- cing of preparatory actions carried out in partnership with third countries and regions in connection with issues of migration and asylum. Taking account of those preparatory actions, and refer- ring to the Commission Communication on integrating migration issues in the European Union's relations with third countries, it is considered necessary to endow the Community from 2004 with a multiannual programme designed to provide a specific additional response to the needs of third countries in their efforts to manage more effectively all aspects of migratory flows, and in particu- lar to stimulate third countries' readiness to conclude readmission agreements, and to assist them in coping with the consequences of such agreements. To ensure the consistency of the Community's external action, operations financed under this new instrument should be specific and complementary to operations financed under other Community development coopera- tion instruments.