Political programme
The political programme of the Spanish Presidency includes the issues which the Spanish Government considers to be a priority for the EU and wishes to get behind during its six-month tenure.
The priorities of the Spanish Presidency revolve around four central themes:
- The faithful and decisive application of the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into effect on 1 December last year. The Presidency benefits from a reinforced legal framework to give impetus to the new Europe, the Europe we need, at a time of extraordinary political significance.
- The need to promote greater coordination of economic policies, to manage strategies for overcoming the crisis, consolidating recovery, stimulating a new stage of growth, returning to job creation and maintaining high levels of social protection. The Presidency will promote innovation, the fight against climate change and the European social agenda.
- Reinforcing the Union as a decisive political player in globalisation. The Presidency has set itself the goal of reinforcing the role of Europe on the new international stage as a dynamic player in the promotion of stability and progress. The figures of the President of the Council and the High Representative will allow the image of European unity to be strengthened overseas.
- Promoting initiatives which reinforce and guarantee the rights of European citizens, paying special attention to effective equality between men and women. The Presidency will continue to fight for the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence, it will begin the process of the EU's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights and it will promote immigration management in its various forms, from integration and cooperation with countries of origin and transit, to combating human-trafficking gangs.
