COUNCIL OF MINISTERS : SPAIN HOPES TO BOOST EU'S SOCIAL DIMENSION.

The Spanish EU Presidency wants "to put citizens first" and wishes to reinforce Europe's social dimension - including the issue of equality between men and women - during its turn at the helm of the EU from 1 January, said the Socialist Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spain's Minister for Foreign Affairs, on18 December. The fight against gender-based violence is also high on the Spanish agenda. According to reports in the media, in 2009, 49 women died in Spain as a result of violence caused by their partner or former partner. Spain will push for EU proposals to combat "gender-based violence" and hopes to create an EU...