37In accordance with that provision, Member States may limit to core benefits, in respect of social assistance and social protection, equal treatment between ‘long-term residents’ within the meaning of that directive and nationals. Since the integration of third-country nationals who are long-term residents in the Member States and the right of those nationals to equal treatment in the sectors listed in Article 11(1) of Directive 2003/109 constitute the general rule, the derogation provided for in Article 11(4) thereof must be interpreted strictly (see, to that effect, judgment of 24 April 2012, Kamberaj, C‑571/10, EU:C:2012:233, paragraph 86).
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