Mariano Rajoy attends European Council of Heads of State and Government

Other issues on the agenda of the European Council include immigration policy, focusing on dialogue and cooperation with the countries of origin and transit of migrants, particularly in Africa. This is an essential aspect of the global approach that Spain has always advocated, based on its experience, and which has now attained the general consensus of the EU.

On another note, international trade will be addressed as an instrument for generating growth and employment. The EU, the largest trading bloc in the world, is negotiating major trade agreements at the same time as providing effective instruments to defend its interests in a globalised world. Spain firmly believes that trade is a fundamental source of growth and employment. The Council will also address progress on other important issues for growth such as the Energy Union and the Digital Single Market.

As regards the United Kingdom, the British Prime Minister will explain the situation of the United Kingdom's exit procedure from the EU to her colleagues at this European Council, something which she had the opportunity to personally explain to President of the Government Rajoy during her visit to Madrid last week.

The meeting will also be used to review the situation of relations between the EU and Russia, the conflict in Syria and the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.