Pilar Alegría Continente (acting Minister of Education and Vocational Training), Joan Subirats Humet (acting Minister for Universities), Yolanda Díaz (second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Economy) and José Luis Escrivá (Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration) present the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the CULT and EMPL Committees in Brussels. Extracts from the presentation by Spanish Ministers in the EP Committee meetings (EMPL and CULT - 07/09).

Brussels

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Committee on Culture and Education

Spanish Presidency of the EU (T)

DÍAZ, Yolanda (ES)

ALEGRÍA CONTINENTE, María del Pilar (ES)

BELARRA, Ione (ES)

ESCRIVÁ, José Luis (ES)

SUBIRATS HUMET, Joan (ES)

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Spanish Ministers: extracts from the presentation by Spanish Ministers in the EP Committee meetings (EMPL and CULT - 07/09)

Arrival of Pilar Alegr&iacute;a, Education Minister, and Joan Subirats, University Minister

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pilar Alegr&iacute;a, Education Minister, Thank you very much. Honourable Members. Good morning. It's a delight to address this Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament in order to present the objectives of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union when it comes to education

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Joan Subirats, University Minister, As Pilar Alegria said, this is an important moment as part of the European Project for Integration. We need Europe to continue to lead the way in terms of progress, liberty and social justice at a global level. For that we need to be more united, and that means that we need to further deepen the ties between our member states. Spain has this clear in its mind, and our presidency will be focussed on strengthening the ties between Member States and ensuring greater cooperation in the area of education. So that's our overriding objective

Images of the exchange of views during the EU Council's priorities by Spanish Ministers in CULT Committee (8 shots)

Arrival of Jos&eacute; Luis Escriv&aacute;, minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jos&eacute; Luis Escriv&aacute;, Spanish Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, As far as employment and social policy is concerned, the Spanish Presidency is fully convinced that a more inclusive Europe with a gradual deployment of social policy is the only way of achieving a more prosperous and sustainable Europe at a social, economic and labour level.

Images of the exchange of views during the EU Council's priorities by Spanish Ministers in EMPL Committee (7 shot)

Arrival of Yolanda D&iacute;az, Minister of Labour and Social Economy and Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Yolanda D&iacute;az, Minister of Labour and Social Economy and Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, We are in favour of a social green feminist Europe which wishes to continue to progress, and the main message of our presidency is that in times of uncertainty it makes most sense to opt for what we know works.

Images of the exchange of views during the EU Council's priorities by Spanish Ministers in EMPL Committee (2 shot)