Spain follows on from Sweden, which held the Presidency for the first six months of the year. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the council, determine its agendas, set a work program and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and with other EU institutions.
The ambassador said his country takes charge at a decisive moment for the European Union as a whole and also for Spain, because it is a turning point after the Covid-19 pandemic and also because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In addition, the Spanish presidency will anticipate European Parliament (EP) elections in June next year.
Spain has four key objectives for its Presidency, the ambassador said: reindistrialization of the European Union, continuation of the green transition, promoting greater social and economic justice and strengthening European unity.
The Spanish Presidency will also work towards expansion and diversification of trade relations and the strengthening of supply chains, with a particular focus on its historic ties to Latin America, he said.
More information about the Spanish Presidency is available at the official website.
Latvia last held thePresidency of the Council of the European Union back in 2015 and is due to do so again in the second half of 2028.
A dos días para el inicio de la @eu2023es, el ministro @jmalbares ha presentado las perspectivas de la Presidencia española del Consejo de la #UE ante embajadores europeos acreditados en #España.#EU2023ES 🇪🇸🇪🇺https://t.co/Vw9d5aAkTl
— Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación (@MAECgob) June 29, 2023
