From 1 January 2010, Spain will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The website of the Spanish Presidency is online, with information in Spanish, French and English, in particular on the agenda and calendar of events, including listings of the cultural events occurring in parallel as well as the events of the Presidency itself.
Setting out its priorities, the Spanish presidency highlights the consolidation of Europe's social agenda, paying special attention to gender equality and the fight against domestic violence, the promotion of a People's Europe, getting out of the economic crisis by restoring job creation and achieving a more competitive Europe, the European Union's energy security and the fight against climate change.
The new Presidency coincides with the beginning of a new phase for the EU, with a renewed Parliament and Commission and a new treaty in force from 1 December. With this view, Spain, Belgium and Hungary have developed a work programme for the period of 18 months during which they will hold the Presidency in turn, according to new rules that apply in Europe.
Divided into two parts, the programme firstly provides the strategic framework, while the second part outlines the operational programme, setting out the issues that are expected to be addressed within this set of three Presidencies. At sector level, the Presidencies will launch work on the new scope of the universal service in electronic communications on the basis of a Commission communication.
The three Presidencies will foster the deployment of next generation networks, both in infrastructure and services, on the basis of the forthcoming Commission Recommendation. Meanwhile, work is also planned on network security, electronic commerce and the protection of intellectual property on the Internet and the fight against piracy will be promoted.
The Presidencies will further contribute to the development of the Internet of the Future, examining new challenges such as network neutrality, mobile broadband, fixed and mobile network convergence and the development of the "internet of things", in addition to the extension of the universal service as already mentioned.
Further information:
- Presidencia española eu http://www.eu2010.es/en/index.html
- The spanish presidency 2010 - Programme http://www.eu2010.es/comun/descargas/unioneuropea/PROGRAMME_EN.pdf
- Agenda http://www.eu2010.es/en/agenda/
- Draft 18 month programme of the Council http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/09/st16/st16771.en09.pdf
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- The European Commission https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=106443
