49As regards the definition of the reference period, it is clear from the case-law that, in view of the exception contained in Article 4(1)(a) of Annex VII to the Staff Regulations, the performance of work for another State or an international organisation has the effect of preserving a specific tie of the party concerned linking him to that other State or that international organisation, thereby hindering the creation of a lasting tie to the State of employment and thus his sufficient integration in the society of the State of employment. Since it is the work for a State or an international organisation which is presumed to hinder the creation of lasting ties between the party concerned and the country of employment, such a presumption is equally valid in relation to Article 4(1)(b) of Annex VII to the Staff Regulations, despite the fact that the two provisions are worded differently. Consequently, when calculating the 10-year reference period, account must be taken of periods in which the official performed duties in the service of a State or international organisation. An approach in which the fact of having worked for a State or an international organisation had no effect on the definition of the reference period would infringe both the wording and the purpose of Article 4(1)(b) of Annex VII to the Staff Regulations, since it would, in practice, treat such work in the same way as work for any other employer (see judgment of 25 September 2014, Grazyte v Commission, T‑86/13 P, EU:T:2014:815, paragraph 50 and the case-law cited).
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