Madrid is in fact yet to unveil its priorities for the first half of 2010.
But previous reports have cited the strengthening of transatlantic relations, combating unemployment, relations with Latin America, putting in place the new European External Action Service and developing a post-Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs as the likely priorities for the Spanish EU Presidency (EurActiv 29/04/09).
In addition, the reflection group on the future of Europe, chaired by Felipe González, who was Spanish prime minister from 1982 to 1996, is expected to present its conclusions on the perspectives for Europe up to 2030 during the Spanish Presidency.
"As frequently happens with presidencies, the agenda of the Spanish Presidency looks to me too ambitious and, as a result, rather unfocused. In my view it has set itself far too many objectives in too many areas, which will be difficult to achieve," Buhigas Schubert said.
The analyst was also critical of the European Union's new institutional architecture, which he said was confusing for citizens.
The EU is set for "institutional chaos" following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, with too many bodies and leaders representing the Union, Buhigas Schubert said.
The proliferation of senior posts to represent the EU on the world stage is confusing the public and illustrates a failure to develop a clear political construction of Europe, he added.
Carlos Buhigas Schubert, who is also a member of the Spanish Team Europe of the European Commission, said he is frequently asked these days why Europeans need an EU presidency if now, according to the Lisbon Treaty, the Union now has a permanent president.
"And I can only empathise with that question. We have now a president of the Council, a president of the Commission, a president of the European Parliament, a president of the EU presidency, which actually is a Trio Presidency now, and 27 presidents or prime ministers."
"On the top of it, the Commission has 25 commissioners (26 with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and vice-president of the Commission), which to me looks completely ludicrous."
"I believe that this institutional chaos; the inability to make something clear and understandable in the construction of a political Europe, portrays well the citizens' fatigue with the European project," Buhigas Schubert said.
