The Spanish Presidency started a new phase for the EU, with a renewed Parliament and Commission and a new treaty in effect since 1 December. With this outlook the Trio Spain, Belgium and Hungary have drawn up a work programme for the 18-month period during which they will hold the Presidency in succession, according to the new regulations which apply in Europe. The Trio’s joint program is strongly linked to the main challenges such as overcoming economic and financial crisis, addressing climate change, stronger European economy and job creation, strengthening EU as a global player etc.

The Presidency’s political priorities for the 6 months period are as follows:

• The economy, with the recovery from the economic crisis and job creation on the top of the agenda;
• Achieving more competitive and innovative Europe in line with Lisbon Agenda and in view of the Europe 2020 strategy for growth;
• Fast and full implementation of the Lisbon Treaty;
• Citizenship, consolidated EU social agenda and paying particular attention to gender equality; Promoting a Europe for all its citizens;
• Foreign affairs, helping the EU to become a genuine global player;
• Strengthening the European area of freedom, security and justice, giving special attention to fighting terrorism and reviewing EU immigration and asylum policies.

A strong cultural program

The Spanish presidency is starting with a strong cultural program "L’Europa de la Cultura" and goals announced by the Spanish Minister of Culture, Mrs. Ángeles González-Sinde on 5th January in the Council building at the opening of the video installation Travesías (Crossings) in the Council building by Daniel Canogar (see the video below):

• Reaffirming the European cultural identity
• Promoting cultural tourism by means of the established during the French Presidency European Heritage Label
• Boosting digital culture with a single community approach
• Promotion of a legal cultural market and the digitisation of its content
• Strengthening culture as a driver for social and economic development.

The annual Informal Meeting of Culture Ministers will be held on 30-31 March 2010 in Barcelona.

The European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion will be launched officially on January 21st in Madrid. The Year will be under the aegis of the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Špidla.