EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Spanish presidency priorities: Innovating Europe

Spanish presidency priorities: Innovating Europe

Introduction

The political programme of the Spanish presidency includes the issues which the Spanish government thinks the EU should address as a matter of priority and which it wishes to progress during the six months.

Description

The Spanish presidency's priorities revolve around:

Consolidating Europe's social agenda, paying special attention to gender equality and the fight against domestic violence.
Promoting a People’s Europe
Getting out of the economic crisis. The fundamental aims are restoring job creation and achieving a more competitive Europe, as stated in the Lisbon Strategy.
The European Union's energy security and the fight against climate change.
Enabling Europe to speak with its own voice on the international scene and promoting its common values, peace and well-being.
Consolidating a safer Union for its citizens, responding to the challenges of immigration and constructing a shared space with judicial and police cooperation.

The Spanish presidency will also receive the conclusions of the report on Europe's future by the think tank chaired by Felipe González.

On a special note for cities and metropolitan areas: The Spanish presidency stresses the importance of green transport in urban and metropolitan areas:

‘In connection with transport sustainability, and as part of the strategy to fight against climate change, the most sustainable means of transport, such as the railway, will be promoted and extended through appropriate infrastructure and services and improved intermodality and logistics. In turn, sea transport will be fostered by reviewing criteria applicable to the deployment of maritime highways and facilitating the development of short-distance sea transport. Transit in urban and metropolitan areas will be promoted. The European Economic Recovery Plan’s “green vehicles” initiative will be considered, and special attention will be given to the liberalisation and operation of rail freight.’

Publication date

08/01/2010

Links

Go to the Spanish presidency website

Read the whole Spanish presidency priority paper (Eng Pdf 114Kb)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords