The ministers for Europe of the 27 member states are meeting today and tomorrow in La Granja (Segovia) to deal with issues that the Spanish government believes need to be progressed by leading European politicians if citizens' expectations created by the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force on December 1 last year after a long negotiation process, are to be met. The full application of the new Treaty is one of the Spanish Presidency's main responsibilities. European citizens need to feel that the EU has entered a new era as soon as possible. The first ministerial meeting being held under the Spanish Presidency will therefore tackle this issue. During Wednesday's meetings, the ministers will deal with four issues in particular, which have been newly introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon.
The full application of the new Treaty is one of the Spanish Presidency's main responsibilities. European citizens need to feel that the EU has entered a new era as soon as possible. The first ministerial meeting being held under the Spanish Presidency will therefore tackle this issue.
During Wednesday's meetings, the ministers will deal with four issues in particular, which have been newly introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon.
Spain wants to start working on a new Community directive on cross-border medical assistance, after the initial proposal from the European Commission was blocked last December, according to the Spanish Minister of Health, Trinidad Jiménez. Nevertheless, until the new European Health Commissioner - which should be Malta's nominee John Dalli - starts to act "and comments on the matter", the Spanish Presidency "cannot make progress on this issue either", she pointed out. Spain wants the alternative proposal to improve the rights of Community nationals without being overly costly to the public health system.
Nevertheless, until the new European Health Commissioner - which should be Malta's nominee John Dalli - starts to act "and comments on the matter", the Spanish Presidency "cannot make progress on this issue either", she pointed out.
Spain wants the alternative proposal to improve the rights of Community nationals without being overly costly to the public health system.
