Note élaborée par le secrétariat d'État pour l'Union Européenne et publiée le 4 novembre 2009 pour présenter le cadre général et les traits marquants de la présidence espagnole de l'Union européenne au cours du premier semestre 2010, présidence marquée surtout par la crise économique et les changements induits par l'entrée en vigueur du Traité de Lisbonne et par le Trio des présidences.

The ERDF is one of the European Union’s four Structural Funds, created to reduce discrepancies in terms of prosperity and standard of living and to help European regions facing difficulties. The photo shows the construction of the Pliego dam in Andalusia, Spain.

‘Come in!’ In February 1985, with a view to the forthcoming accession of Portugal and Spain to the European Communities, the German cartoonist, Horst Haitzinger, illustrates the impact of enlargement on agriculture.

In December 1983, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde diplomatique analyses the consequences for French industry of Spain’s accession to the European Communities.

‘May 1979: Greece applies for accession to the EC.’ In May 1979, with a view to the possible enlargement of the European Communities to include Greece, Spain and Portugal, the German cartoonist, Horst Haitzinger, speculates on the capacity of the Nine to welcome new Member States.

On 12 February 2005, demonstrators march through the streets of Bilbao in protest against the proposed European Constitution on the margins of the campaign organised in Spain for the referendum of 20 February on the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.

On 20 January 2005, crowds demonstrate in the streets of Madrid to protest against the proposed European Constitution on the margins of the campaign for the referendum on the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty to be held in Spain on 20 February.

On 10 July 1986, in Luxembourg, Simone Veil, Chairman of the Liberal and Democratic Reformist Group in the European Parliament, gives an interview during which she welcomes the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities, whilst highlighting the implications of this enlargement.