The six months of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union began with a plenary meeting in Madrid between the Spanish government and the European Commissioners. José Maria Aznar, Spanish Prime Minister, declared that the fight against international terrorism would represent “the priority of priorities” of his government. In this regard, Aznar stressed the determination of Madrid to conclude as soon as possible an agreement with the United States in the sphere of judicial and penal cooperation that would take due account of the European guarantees against the application of the death sentence. As regards the introduction of the Euro, the Spanish Premier emphasized the need for each member state to accompany the progress of the single currency with economic reforms that can no longer be deferred, with a view to permitting the planned achievement of full employment by 2010. In the days ahead, Aznar and his government will define the final programme for the Spanish Presidency. The president of the bishops of the EU visits Moscow and Armenia With a view to ever greater dialogue between the European Union and Eastern Europe, the president of COMECE (Commission of the episcopates of the European Community), Msgr. Josef Homeyer, bishop of Hildesheim, in Germany, visited Moscow on 9 and 10 January. The visit also assumes a particular ecumenical significance, since Bishop Homeyer was invited, as COMECE spokesman John Coughlan pointed out, by the Patriarch of Moscow Alexis II himself. Later, from 11 to 13 January, the president of COMECE will pay a visit to Armenia where he will meet the Catholicos Karekin II. Bishop Homeyer is accompanied by Comece secretary general Msgr. Noel Treanor.
