The purpose according to Article 3 paragraph 2 of the TFEU: "The Union shall provide its citizens with an area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate measures regarding controls at external borders...asylum, immigration and the prevention and combating of crime".

With the aforementioned article, which reflects the main objectives of the EU, greater importance is attributed to the creation of an Area of Peace, Security and Justice (APSJ), in relation to the previous Treaty of Nice, as this purpose is now mentioned even before the implementation of the internal market.