This December 31, 2023, the Spanish presidency of the European Union ends. In six months, several major issues have been completed: among them, an agreement on migration, the start of the enlargement of the Union to other countries and even a first law to regulate artificial intelligence.
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From the start of his mandate, in July, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited kyiv to show the support of the 27 for Ukraine. “ From the European Union’s perspective on Ukraine’s accession, my presence on the first day of this six-month presidency (…) demonstrates a clear and unequivocal political commitment on the part of the Community institutions », assured Pedro Sanchez during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. And this half-year term ends with an agreement to begin negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
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Another important successful case, a agreement to regulate artificial intelligence. Member States and Parliament have established a legal framework which aims to strike a balance between the need to limit possible abuses of AI without slowing down the capacity for innovation of European companies in the field. This includes protecting both the security and the rights of citizens. For example, social rating based on your behavior is prohibited, reminds our correspondent in Brussels, Laxmi Lota.
A new migration pact
The 27 also agreed on a new Asylum and Migration Pact in December with the result of a stricter asylum policy, at the risk of worrying NGOs. Spain is on the front line with Italy and Greece to welcome migrants arriving by sea. Three migrants were found dead in a canoe yesterday Saturday off the Spanish archipelago of the Canaries, emergency services announced Spanish maritimes. Located off the coast of northwest Africa, the Canary Islands archipelago is facing its worst migration crisis since 2006 this year, making it one of the most dangerous maritime migration routes in the world, with a spectacular increase in arrivals of illegal immigrants in recent months, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa.
The Spanish also highlight progress in environmental matters: the nature restoration law has yet to be voted on, but a provisional agreement has been reached: it plans to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030…
This Monday, Belgium will take the rotating presidency of the Union, with at least one important issue: the European elections next June…