Spain took over the EU presidency today, with the struggle against international terrorism at the top of its agenda.
Spain succeeded Belgium in the rotating presidency of the 15-nation community as the euro replaced national currencies in 12 EU countries.
The issue of terrorism has been highlighted internationally following the September 11th attacks in the United States.
Spain has its own ongoing terrorism problem, with the militant separatist group ETA conducting a campaign for Basque independence.
Attacks on banks and police patrols early on New Year's Day in the Basque country underscored Spain's special preoccupation with terrorism.
Some 40 hooded assailants hurled petrol bombs at banks and police patrols in the Basque town of Guernica, police said. No one claimed responsibility for the incidents but police believe the attackers were young radicals close to the Basque militant separatist organisation ETA.
Spain will preside over the EU during an especially charged time marked by developments in Afghanistan, the Middle East, the slowing down of the world economy and Argentina's economic crisis.
Managing the transition to the euro will require care, as will current negotiations with former eastern bloc countries such as Poland on EU membership.
Other delicate issues include developing a coherent European defence and security identity, and deciding which EU capitals will be home to a series of new EU agencies, a topic that ended in disagreement and flaring tempers at last month's EU summit.
AFP