49Such an interpretation is consistent with the principal objective pursued by Directive 2004/38, which is, as has been recalled in paragraph 23 of the present judgment, to strengthen the right of free movement and residence of all Union citizens, and with the objective specifically pursued by Article 7(3) thereof, which is to safeguard, by the retention of the status of worker, the right of residence of persons who have ceased their occupational activity because of an absence of work due to circumstances beyond their control (see, to that effect, judgments of 15 September 2015, Alimanovic, C‑67/14, EU:C:2015:597, paragraph 60; of 25 February 2016, García-Nieto and Others, C‑299/14, EU:C:2016:114, paragraph 47; and of 20 December 2017, Gusa, C‑442/16, EU:C:2017:1004, paragraph 42).
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