23 June 2023
España
Spain will assume the EU Presidency in the second half of 2023, from July 1 to December 31.
The Spanish Presidency has established four priorities for its semester.
1.Reindustrialise the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy
The EU Spanish Presidency will work on two fronts. On the one hand, it will promote those dossiers which foster the development of strategic industries and technologies in Europe, the expansion and diversification of its trade relations, and the strengthening of its supply chains, giving special attention to Latin America and the EU-CELAC Summit. On the other hand, it will propose a forward-looking, comprehensive strategy to ensure the economic security and global leadership of the EU by 2030.
2. Advance in the green transition and the environmental adaptation
The Spanish Presidency will do its utmost to foster this transition. It will promote a reform of the electricity market aimed at accelerating the deployment of renewable energies, the reduction of electricity prices, and the improvement of the system’s stability. It will work to accelerate the legislative files related to Fit for 55, such as the Gas and Hydrogen package, and the energy efficiency regulations. Furthermore, it will promote measures for the reduction of waste and microplastics, the design of sustainable products and the generation of green fuels.
3. Promoting greater social and economic justice
The Spanish Presidency will advocate for the establishment of minimum and common standards on corporate taxation in all Member States and will fight tax evasion by large multinationals, which costs the EU 1.5 GDP points each year. It will also work for a proper revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and for the adequate reform of the fiscal rules to overcome austerity, increase transparency and combine the sustainability of public finances with the proper financing of the green and digital transitions. Finally, it will push for the extension of workers' rights in several areas and for vulnerable groups such as children, women suffering from violence, and people with disabilities.
4. Strengthening European unity
The Spanish Presidency will advocate for a greater deepening of the internal market, the completion of the banking union and the capital markets union, the consolidation and improvement of common instruments such as the NextGenerationEU funds, a more efficient and coordinated management of migration and asylum processes, and a coordinated support for Ukraine and other neighbouring states. It will also work for the development of our common identity and values, and to foster a new phase of the development of the European project.
