Brussels, 04/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - A delegation of representatives from the Churches met Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ramon de Miguel, on 30 January, in Madrid. It informed the representative of the Spanish Presidency of its interest in the process of institutional reform, which is to begin with the opening of the Convention's work on 28 February. The delegation called on the Presidency to give its support, through the intermediary of its representative within the Convention Presidium, to the organisation of a specific hearing for churches and religious communities. It also asked the Presidency to pay specific attention to concerns for family policy during preparation of the European Council of Barcelona, and urged that account be taken of the long-standing role and experience of the religious communities during discussions on educational systems. The churches also recalled their concern about the ethical side of biomedical research, such as stem-cell research, with regard to the preparation of the 6th Framework Programme for Research. The delegation was composed of the Archbishop of Zaragoza, Elias Yanes Alvarez, Assistant Secretary General of COMECE Stefan Lunte, José Tomas Raga Gil member of the Social Affairs Commission of COMECE, General Secretary of the Spanish Evangelical Church Rev. Alfredo Abad Heras, CEC Associate General Secretary Keith Jenkins, and the Bishop of the Spanish Evangelical Reformed Episcopal Church, Bishop Carlos Lopez Lezano.