Programme of the Spanish Presidency

The Council took note of the presentation by the Spanish presidency of its programme for the duration of its term of office (January to July 2010).

The presidency's priorities are as follows:

·        promoting economic recovery and sustainable growth across Europe and launching the EU 2020 strategy for growth and jobs;

·        full implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon;

·        fostering a Europe of rights and freedoms for its citizens;

·        strengthening the Union's foreign policy to make the EU a truly global player.

The presidency will focus on fostering economic recovery through sustainable growth geared to generating employment. It aims to strengthen coordination at EU level of the Member States' economic policies, ahead of the launch of the EU 2020 strategy.

With the Treaty of Lisbon now in force, it falls on the Spanish presidency to ensure as its first priority that the treaty is implemented rigorously and in full.

For the Union to enhance its global role and influence, it needs to foster close links with its citizens and build their support and involvement. To this end, the presidency aims to strengthen the rights, civil liberties and security of Europe's citizens and promote real equality between men and women.

In foreign affairs, the presidency will collaborate closely with the President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in order to make the best use of the possibilities created by the new treaty. The Union is now equipped to streamline and strengthen its Common Foreign and Security Policy and assume its role as a fully-fledged global player promoting its values and interests in the international arena.