This paper examines the options open to the EU in preparing new legislation in this field. Drawing on the experience of sexual equality legislation at both the European and national level, the paper examines both the strengths and weaknesses of the existing anti-discrimination legislation. The paper also points out the importance of a combination of criminal and civil law remedies. Specific action against discrimination is unlikely to be sufficient unless complemented by measures to promote equal opportunities for ethnic minorities in all aspects of EU policies. The need to 'mainstream' anti-discrimination objectives has already been recognised in the field of sexual equality. The document examines the relevance of anti-discrimination to foreign policy and the enlargement of the Union, but specifically focuses on the need to incorporate equal opportunities for ethnic minorities into immigration and asylum policy.