Unveiling the Spanish Presidency of the Council

On 1 January 2010, Spain took over the Presidency of Council of Ministers. Together with Belgium and Hungary, Spain will form the first Trio Presidency under the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty. Members can read the full article with commentary on the members only site here

First Trio Presidency under the Lisbon Treaty

Under the rules of the Lisbon Treaty, the presidency of the Council of Ministers is held by a Trio Presidency, a pre-established group of three Member States, for a period of 18 months. Each member of the trio chairs for 6 months all configurations of the Council (with the exception of the Foreign Affairs Council chaired by the EU High Representative), on the basis of a common programme. Spain could therefore set a precedent in how to run rotating presidencies under the Lisbon Treaty.

Spain, Belgium and Hungary have chosen a common logo to symbolise their partnership.

Political priorities

1. General Political Programme

In the context of the current economic crisis, Spain will put a strong focus on economic recovery and the future of employment in Europe.

In particular, the Spanish government will lead discussions on a future EU2020 strategy since the current Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs expires at the end of 2010. The EU2020 strategy will become the overarching framework for EU action over the next ten years.

Following the public consultation led by the European Commission, a draft text will be discussed at the March 2010 European Council. Spain aims to reach an agreement before the end of its mandate in June 2010.

In addition to economic recovery, the Spanish presidency’s priorities are the full and effective application of the Lisbon Treaty; reinforcing the presence and influence of the European Union in the world; and placing European citizens at the centre of EU policy, with initiatives designed to develop their rights and freedoms.

The website of the Spanish presidency indicates the following general priorities:
 “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.”

2. Health policy priorities

In its programme the Spanish presidency expresses it objective to “expand the 2006 Council Declaration on EU health systems’ common values and principles, considering the priorities of the second 2008-2013 Community action programme on health and the Union’s future health strategy.”

More precisely, the Spanish presidency has decided to look at the following dossiers:

 Monitoring social determinants of health and reduction of health inequities
 To promote donation, organ transplantation and advanced therapies.
 Innovation in healthcare: e-health, and the improvement of patients’ security and quality of healthcare

Monitoring social determinants of health and reduction of health inequities

Spain’s actions on this topic will pursue the following objectives:

 Maintain awareness and political commitment
 Give an impulse to a strong European agenda and the national agenda
 Put emphasis on monitoring the social determinants of health (evaluate progress, guide interventions and future research)
 Support the role of the EU in global monitoring and action on socially determined health inequalities

Activities foreseen around this priority include:

 An experts’ conference, a Ministerial Panel, an Informal Council, and a meeting of Health counsellors in April 2010
 The publication of a situation analysis report on Monitoring and Action on Socially Determined Health Inequities in the EU
 A video to showcase the main discussion areas of this priority, and publications in scientific journals

This work will lead to the adoption in June 2010 of Council Conclusions on “Innovation in public health: monitoring of the social determinants of health and reduction of inequalities”.

Promoting donation, organ transplantation and advanced therapies

The Spanish presidency will take forward as a priority the legislative proposals on donation and transplantation of organs and tissues, in order to reach a political agreement at the June 2010 EPSCO Council.

Other ongoing legislative procedures

Work will continue on the legislative proposals on pharmacovigilance, counterfeit medicines and patient rights in cross-border healthcare, in view of political agreements at the June 2010 Employment, Social policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council meeting.

The June Council may also comprise a policy debate on the proposed regulation on food information to consumers, and the adoption of Council Conclusions on the “Implementation of the Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related Health Issues: National Initiatives on Salt”.

The March EPSCO Council may include a political agreement on the proposal for a Council Directive implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector concluded by HOSPEEM and EPSU.

3. Global health policy priorities

Regarding the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) and in particular those pertaining to health, the Spanish Presidency programme states:

“In this regard, the Spanish Presidency will advocate the fulfilment of all international commitments concerning the fight against hunger and poverty, aid efficacy and development financing, in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the agreements reached at the Accra Conference on aid effectiveness and the Doha Conference on financing.”

The programme further reads:

“Additionally, […]the work conducted by the Commission on Global Health to provide universal access to public health systems will be enhanced.”

The Spanish Presidency aims to adopt Conclusions on EU policy on Global Health, possibly at the May 2010 Foreign Affairs and Development Council.

4. Budget

The Spanish Government has allocated €86 million to the organisation of its presidency. The greater part of this budget will be invested in organising more than 300 meetings (to be held in different parts of Spain) and other communication activities. Other costs include those arising from attending to the press, hiring staff, and foreign travel.

For further information:

Website of the Spanish Presidency

EPHA article on the Spanish Presidency for members only: "Unveiling the Spanish Presidency of the Council"