The Stockholm Programme is to define the framework for EU police and customs cooperation, rescue services, criminal and civil law cooperation, asylum, migration and visa policy for the period 2010–2014. The Programme was discussed at the informal ministerial meeting in Stockholm in July 2009 and will ultimately be adopted by EU Heads of State and Government at the Summit in December 2009. The focus of EU work in the area of justice and home affairs is determined in a five-year programme. The present programme, the Hague Programme, expires in 2009. Setting guidelines for continued work by negotiating a new work programme in the area of justice and home affairs – the Stockholm Programme – will therefore be a major and important task of the Swedish Presidency.
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