13/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 13 June, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, outlined the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council, which begins on 1 July at “the most complex and tumultuous time for the continent since the fall of the Berlin Wall”. Ukraine, together with the management of the economic and social consequences of the Russian invasion and the question over the opening of negotiations for its accession to the EU, will be one of the Presidency’s priorities, as will issues affecting “people, citizens, businesses and competitiveness”. Mr Albares cited a number of important issues for Spain, such as energy security and the green transition, including the reform of the electricity market, the rules of economic governance, social Europe, the migration pact and mental health. (CG)