Zapatero and Spidla launch 2010 European Year

On 21 January the Spanish presidency launched the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. President of the Spanish government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, said his presidency will devote special attention to the improvement of living conditions of those groups most at risk of poverty. Watch the Zapatero speech here (es)

Taking one moment to reflect on the disastrous events in Haiti, the President of the Spanish Government, praised the efforts of the European Union as the largest global donor in terms of development cooperation. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero continued to praise the solidarity based welfare systems, so characteristic of Europe.

Zapatero promised the combat against social exclusion and for the improvement of those 17% of Europeans living in poverty will be one of the foremost priorities of the Spanish presidency and a main pillar in the Europe2020 strategy. The President of the Spanish government said the fight against unemployment and the help to those who got laid off, has been and will be the focus in the measures taken against the economic crisis.