Constituent meeting of National Commission for Commemoration of '500th Anniversary of First Voyage around the World'

Beginning on 10 August 1519, the expedition was supported by the Crown of Spain in order to find a new route to the spice islands. Following three years of hardship and endeavour, the Victoria sailed into Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cadiz) on 6 September 1522 after having circled the globe for the first time in history.

Under the Honorary Chairmanship of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain and attached to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, the commission will be responsible for preparing and scheduling the events planned to commemorate this expedition. It will join the initiatives already under way or planned for the future by civil society, other public institutions and other States.

Chaired by the Vice-President of the Government and Minister for the Presidency and of the Regional Administrations, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, the Plenary Session consisted of: the Second Deputy Chair of the Commission, María Dolores de Cospedal, Minister for Defence; the Third Deputy Chair, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, Minister for Education, Culture and Sport and Government Spokesperson; Juan Ignacio Zoido, Minister for Home Affairs; Fernando García Casas, State Secretary for International Cooperation and Ibero-America and the Caribbean; Alberto Nadal, State Secretary for Budgets and Expenditure (on behalf of the Minister for the Treasury and Public Function); Fernando Benzo, State Secretary for Culture; Alfonso de Senillosa, Assistant Director of the President of the Government's Office; Teodoro E. López, Admiral Chief of the Navy Staff; Juan Francisco Martínez, Secretary-General for Defence Policy; Felipe Martínez, Deputy Secretary for the Treasury and Public Function; Rosana Navarro, Deputy Secretary for Public Works; José María Jover, Deputy Secretary for the Presidency and of the Regional Administrations; Alfredo González-Panizo, Deputy Secretary for Economic Affairs, Industry and Competition; and Camilo Vázquez Bello, Deputy Director-General for Cooperation and the International Promotion of Culture of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

Approval of general outline for the programme of activities, logo and Executive Committee

The Plenary Session approved the general outline for the programme of activities. At this first stage, it will revolve around four main lines of action: institutional activities; private initiative activities; research; and international activities.

Furthermore, the official logo for the event was approved and the Executive Committee for the commemoration was set up.

The Executive Committee will be chaired by the State Secretary for Culture, Fernando Benzo, and the position of Deputy Chair will be held by Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, Secretary-General for Defence Policy.

The other members appointed to this executive body are: Antonio Pérez-Hernández y Torra, Director-General for Ibero-America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Elena Gómez, Director-General for Defence Policy of the Ministry of Defence; Jaime Iglesias, Director-General for Budgets of the Ministry of the Treasury and Public Function; Alicia Segovia, Technical Secretary-General of the Ministry of Public Works; Óscar Sáenz de Santa María, Director General for Book and Cultural Industries of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport; Antonio Sanz, Central Government Representative in Andalusia; Elvira Marco, Director-General of Acción Cultural Española; María del Carmen Iglesias, Director of the Royal Academy of History; Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga, General Secretary of the Cervantes Institute; Manuel Ravina, Director of the Archivo General de Indias [General Archive of the Indies] of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport; Jesús Julio Carnero, President of the Provincial Council of Valladolid; Markel Olano, Leader of the Provincial Council of Guipuzcoa; Juan Espadas, Mayor of Seville; Víctor Mora, Mayor of Sanlúcar de Barrameda; and Vice Admiral Fernando Zumalacárregui, Director of the Naval History and Culture Council.

Maximum tax breaks due to its status of event of exceptional public interest

This commemoration is considered as an 'event of exceptional public interest' and will therefore benefit from extensive tax incentives and tax breaks, which could reach up to 90% of the investment.

By declaring it an event of exceptional public interest, the State is encouraging involvement by the private sector in the project given that the tax breaks will help foster both the contribution of funds for the organisation of activities and communication of the event through advertising campaigns in which the event logo will be included.

Non official translation