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 monitoring centre on the issue as well as a single free of charge European phone number for victims of gender-based violence. On 25 and 26 March, Spain is organising an informal Equality summit' in Valencia, totally devoted to these topics.

But equality in the workplace, the full integration of women into the labour market and improving the protection of pregnant or breastfeeding workers are also areas that will be on Madrid's list of priorities. According to a Presidency policy paper: "Effective equality between men and women is one of our internal priorities and it will also be a priority during our Presidency." It will prepare a Plan for Equal Opportunities for Men and Women for the 2011-2015 period, "with special emphasis on labour market issues". Furthermore, Spain will pay special attention to mainstream a "gender-equality perspective" throughout the whole EU 2020 Strategy.

Madrid will have to continue work...