SPAIN THIS WEEK

Monday, 19 December 2016

15/12/2016 EU urges cessation in hostilities in Aleppo in order to open up humanitarian corridors The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, at the close of the European Council meeting, explained that, in addition to their call on the Syrian authorities and their allies, the 28 Member States committed to the territorial integrity of Ukraine, assessed the development of migratory policy and observed the progress made on the internal security of the EU.

14/12/2016 Mariano Rajoy reaffirms government's commitment to Spanish sport At the annual gala of the Spanish Olympic Committee (Spanish acronym: COE), the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, congratulated the Spanish delegation that attended the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and announced a redesigned programme to support Olympic athletes.

14/12/2016 Mariano Rajoy presents New Economy Forum Prize 2016 to Juan Manuel Santos At the closing event, the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, highlighted the "wonderful" relations that exist between the two countries and expressed his full support for the peace process in Colombia and its forthcoming membership of the OECD. He also welcomed the signing on Monday of the Constitutive Agreement of the European Trust Fund for the Post-Conflict in Colombia.

14/12/2016 Mariano Rajoy says new regional financing model should guarantee access to public services based on "principle of equality" During the government control session in the Lower House of Parliament, President of the Government Rajoy said he is convinced that an understanding will be reached on the new regional financing model. He also defended the Citizen Security Act and compliance with the law regarding any public consultations announced by local council authorities.

13/12/2016 Mariano Rajoy advocates stepping up dialogue with Regional Government of Catalonia on "those issues of interest to citizens as a whole" The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, underlined at the government control session that he will seek a consensus with the Regional Government of Catalonia within the law and without accepting any form of "contract of adhesion". He also announced that the Tax Agency will be given additional human and material resources to fight fraud.

12/12/2016 Mariano Rajoy speaks with Donald Trump by telephone The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, held a telephone conversation early on Monday afternoon with the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, in which he congratulated him on his election victory.

16/12/2016 Government improves legislation on prevention and control of pollution The Council of Ministers also updated the quality standards for various agri-food products and approved a new Combined Agricultural Insurance Plan. The Government Spokesperson, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, confirmed that paternity leave will be increased from two to four weeks as from 1 January.

15/12/2016	"Increase in personnel has not only been well received by Western members of the coalition, but also by Iraq", says María Dolores de Cospedal
15/12/2016	95% of foreign companies will increase or maintain their investments in Spain in 2017
14/12/2016	16.9% growth in turnover by digital content industry in 2015
14/12/2016	Member of terrorist group ETA, José Manuel Azkarate Ramos, arrested in Marseille when about to depart for South America
14/12/2016	Dolors Montserrat welcomes saving of 58 million euros stemming from centralised procurement of vaccines
14/12/2016	Spain has obtained favourable agreement for fish quota distribution in 2017, says Isabel García Tejerina
13/12/2016	Inflation stabilises at 0.7%
12/12/2016	Minister for Home Affairs meets with Executive Director of European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Madrid
12/12/2016	Spanish National Transplant Organisation, European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Foundation for Quality in Blood Transfusion, Cellular Therapy and Tissue Therapy sign partnership agreement
12/12/2016	EIB and ICO provide 1 billion euros in financing and to foster internationalisation of Spanish SMEs
12/12/2016	Nutritional information to be mandatory on labels for food products