The Spanish Presidency of the EU Council during the first semester of 2010 provide an excellent opportunity to deepen the commitment and institutional support to the EY2010 aims and will have a positive impact on the visibility and dissemination of its activities.

Specifically, within the Spanish Presidency, the following European conferences related to social policy field are planned:

• European Year 2010 Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion Opening Conference. Madrid, January 21, 2010.
• Second European Submit on Roma. Córdoba, April 8, 2010.
• Ninth Meeting of People Living Poverty and Social Exclusion. Brussels, June 25-26, 2010.
• Science against Poverty Conference. La Granja (Segovia), April 8 - 9, 2010.

The Spanish Presidency of the European Union Council will pay particular attention to social inclusion issues and will track progress.