Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Members of the European Union's executive body, the Commission, began a visit Monday to Madrid to celebrate the inauguration of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. They will participate in the meeting, which will be attended by the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, members of his cabinet and the President of the European Commission, Ursula van der Leyen, and the meeting will take place in the new Museum of the Royal Collections in Madrid, to discuss Spain`s priorities for its presidency for a period of six months.
The visit of the European Commission to the country that holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union at the beginning of its term is a well-established tradition that helps to strengthen future cooperation between the two sides.
The visit program
Ursula von der Leyen and the Commissioners will be greeted by the Head of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, upon their arrival at the Royal Collections Hall, where the general meeting between the Government of Spain and the College of Commissioners will take place.
After the institutional greeting, a group photo will be taken before meeting with the Spanish ministers and the twenty-seven members of the body. This will be followed by a press conference between Sanchez and von der Leyen.
Opening of the Royal Collections Museum
The visit of the European Commission marks the initial opening of the Museum of the Royal Collections, which will be officially opened on July 25, and there will be open days from July 5 to 7, when the public will be able to visit for free.
Located between Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace, the new museum houses collections of the crown's heritage.
A first edition of Don Quixote, paintings by Goya, Velasquez and Caravaggio, Aztec miter feathers from the 16th century and a Visigoth treasure in Guarazar are just some of the gems that make up the opening exhibition.
A total of 650 works of art, mostly from the 15th to 20th centuries, are on display, as well as royal chariots, musical instruments, furniture, and tapestry collections showcasing the treasures of the national heritage.
College of Commissioners
The European Commission, the Union's executive body, is made up of the Commissioners' Body, which is drawn from the 27 EU member states and serves for a five-year term (2019-2024).
The Commissioner's body consists of the Chairperson of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen of Germany, eight Vice-Presidents, including the Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell of Spain, and 18 Commissioners.
Together, the 27 Commissioners – each responsible for a portfolio – make up the political leadership of the Commission, the only European institution that proposes new laws, manages European Commission policies and allocates funds, as well as enforces EU legislation and represents the Union on the international stage.