EU Parliament President says coming six months crucial for Lisbon Treaty

BRUSSELS, Dec 30 (KUNA) -- The President of the European Parliament (EP), Jerzy Buzek, said here Wednesday that Spain will hold the rotating EU Presidency from 1 January at a "very important juncture for the European Union.

" "The Spanish Presidency is the first that takes place fully under the new Lisbon Treaty. The coming six months are extremely important for the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. The Spanish Presidency will shape the new model of co-operation between EU institutions and Member States," he said in a statement here this evening.
The European Parliament will work hand-in-hand with the Spanish Presidency to meet the expectations of citizens, he declared.
Noting that 2010 will be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social exclusion, he said the fight against poverty and social marginalisation will constitute a major objective for the EP.