We have 10 days of the World Cup, despite the global crisis, the perennial problems that plague our societies, whether in national terms (unemployment, insecurity, fear for the future of the nation) or international (the eternal scourge of hunger world, climate change, wars, debilitating lack of basic human rights in many countries, for instance), the question raging media both as a citizen in every corner of the world is the World Cup, the World everlasting.
It's funny how football turns every four years, more high-sounding speaker in this tiny speck of the universe called Earth. As in Ancient Rome "Bread and Circus, the Circus Maximus is revitalized around 23 gentlemen, dressed in shorts behind a spherical object, which summarize in 90 minutes all the worst memories of our common historical past of humanity : War. However, it is an organized war without dead, except death allegory representing the egos and national pride to nothing, after those 90 minutes, or just the opposite: the exaltation of patriotism more exacerbated the entire Orbe.
And it is very funny as the excitable nationalists (who writes this, inevitably fall into this curious anthropological version of patriotism every time you play "Red") emerge on this planet, from the hand of one of the most universal business exist and that more equal societies making up humankind. Far above other sports events like the Olympics planetary.
And also, in this case, given the fact a political fact that is unprecedented sports or the Olympics, involving heads of government, hoist a national squads for their totally proud to other "equal" ( Lula's comment to Zapatero, a few days ago about the role of favorite in Spain, after the setback of Switzerland, is to explain this issue ).
But what really is very interesting, like in the current political and economic conditions, the circus of football has some similarities with the current political situation. Please, what I will describe below is not the subject of a serious and judicious study political science, but an impression that is disturbing, and I sincerely hope that does not translate to reality.
The question is: after 10 days of competition, we can deduce some issues which will undoubtedly rejoice over a Eurosceptic and Europhobes. But the truth is that if we used football as an allegory of the areas of influence in the world, the result is more than disturbing. Without doubt, today we can speak of European debacle: France annihilated, weightless and fronts everywhere (do not find their place in the EU, Sarkozy's social leadership has disappeared from his political position Villepin is disputing Sarko same political space, etc.), Germany has gone from locomotive to look like a car from the former GDR (Merkel has forgotten what it means to Germany for the whole EU, "attacks" economic partners such as Spain weakening the Euro and has forgotten the importance of the Franco-German), England wanders to the edge of KO (Cameron seeks new alliances with Zapatero and Sarkozy, leaving behind its image as a Eurosceptic, look out your environment - as the fact that an Italian lead the British army), Italy, well Italy is as chaotic as always, is on the brink of elimination, but in the end will go far as a proverbial mischief makes him being there, going unnoticed, to right in the right time to deliver the coup, despite its problems (as the country itself) and Spain, well we have gone from being favorites and have a great set to be already eliminated and that a party, in order as always: if there is a Nation ready to turn the altars to the dead in 1 second, this is Spain.
The case of Africa is more troubling. Honestly, the glimmer of improvement, strength and quality of its selections predict a revival of the continent, a dose of optimism and belief in themselves that would help out of desperation to other parts. The fact that South Africa also organizes the World Cup, the continent is an incentive to find a reason for pride not only in this nation, but the African feel, but the harsh reality is being imposed and all the great teams are falling: Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast and possibly their own host South Africa. Certainly a bad sign, a harbinger of what may happen the next decade. I sincerely hope this mistaken vision.
In Asia, considering not participating or China, or India, the two powers in the region, and ignoring the little power in Japan and other nations in the area, not to mention the peaceful Australia and New Zealand ( if rugby, this would be something else), it is difficult to extrapolate something really interesting or find a real sense of the situation. In this sense, we must emphasize that the enigma is so real, like the theories that exist with China, placing them at both ends of the possible situations which may result.
But what is really interesting, and has a true political sense, is the reality of America. Not only because of the dominance of Brazil (a true regional power in future years, with an economy that will determine the future of the planet in the G-20), and the traditional Argentina (wine is dead and resurrected, to me it sounds too natural historical development), but the emerging power of Mexico (a future regional agent of great power, since his great resolve domestic problems: corruption and permanent state of emergency by the action of the drug cartels) and Chile ( not for the earthquake, the country's socio-economic indicators would be entirely different) and as the culmination of the gradual rise of U.S. as soccer team (notice the role the Hispanic community begins to play in the cultural balance of great neighbor North).
As you can see they are still made in tandem reflections, spinning a few news and feelings conveyed by the media worldwide. I hope to be wrong with the sense of decline that transmit both Europe and Africa, but it appears to an American champion.
Expectant continue the flow of the coming days ...

One of the issues that the Spanish Presidency of the EU can be presented as a great success of the semester, is the agreement that finally sealed Brussels and Washington this April. This bilateral agreement between the EU and U.S. to initial the Agreement of "Open Skies" , the agreement that further liberalization of the aviation market between the two sides of the Atlantic. This opening began in 2007 with the launch of the first phase of the Convention (which entered into force on March 30, 2008).
This is what is known in the world of aviation as a "seventh freedom" , which is the culmination of a long journey of coordination, integration of rules and regulations and especially deregulation and market liberalization (the most contentious of all agreements developed so far). The map drawn up establishing a start-up period ending next November, and has long seemed to be at risk of becoming worthless, hence for the Spanish Presidency, has been a challenge to their Semester (which can be counted on as a successful management of it to the front of the thrust of the EU in this regard).
"What does it mean this agreement? Are many advantages to bring to the transatlantic aviation market and of course the users of the airlines and the development of new routes and hubs sub. The Seventh Freedom implies the possibility of flying from the U.S. or the EU, as appropriate, to third countries without having to be no scale in the country in which the airline. For example Spanair able to fly between New York and Montreal and American Airlines between Madrid and Warsaw, to give two clear examples (in the agreement enters Canada).
Another issue, not least, is the liberalization of air transport markets, which a priori gives an advantage to "carriers" Americans (FedEx, UPS, etc.) Compared with Europeans (which include KLM and Lufthansa Cargo). But the most important issue and has been more tricky to resolve is referring to the commitment of both sides to remove restrictions that limit shareholdings. Thus, Europe can not now control more than 25% of Americans who, in turn, 49.9% have limited their right to vote in the EU. With the entry into force of this liberalization send these limitations, which will mean a rearrangement of the airline market in future months.
The first thing we see is how the alliance One World , with the majority of American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia (and the latter two in the process of merger), will become the first "mega-carrier" composed of control already Most of the slots between New York and Europe in interesting times. What comes will be a race in which Star Alliance and Sky Team, will converge in new equity to keep lattices influence on the most important air corridor and dynamic world.
The importance of this agreement is given because in case you had not agreed the EU and U.S. have removed all given temporary permits since 2007, which undoubtedly would have caused chaos in the aviation market, precisely at a time when economic recession and the red of the airlines are still a real headache for councils airline management.
Finally, highlight the work of the Minister of Transport of the Government of Spain, Jose Blanco and his involvement in the development and release to all things "eternal" in the aerospace sector, as I bring it up. It is not only an impression, since January, he was responsible for developing the final agreement, which saw the final result this week in Brussels. In fact there have been several bilateral meetings at different levels in Madrid, to develop the same, as the most recognized U.S. representative to sign the agreement, J ohn Byerly Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation, who attended the signing in Brussels wearing a commemorative pin and tie the Spanish Presidency, a common gesture of the U.S. administration, with its European partners.
Without doubt, just lay the groundwork for a new aviation markets, not just in the Atlantic. The global aviation market will be reconfigured once it enters into force this Convention.

The Prime Minister, this morning the lines of what it claims to represent the Spanish Presidency for the presidency in the EU. To do this, and before the full EP in Strasbourg, he made a speech strongly oriented towards the audience who listened to him, MEPs, a very special audience, as has traditionally been ignored by the rest of the Community institutions, but with the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and strengthening the role of the institution that represents the power of the European Union citizen, has given new impetus.
It was a speech that has had four basic areas: the economy , the implementation of the new institutions (President of the Union and External Action Service), the EU's external relations with the world (certainly the most ambitious institutional agenda of these six months) and social policies imbued with the concept of European citizenship. "
As it was logical to assume the economic, which has been the bulk of the intervention. Three issues have focused this part: the need to establish a European-oriented Social Pact, the European commitment to the development of the "electric car" and this in turn framed by the strategic planning of EU energy policy, which proposes the creation of a common energy market, "with a common regulatory framework for all member countries, which also result in gradually reducing energy dependence on the old continent, compared to our competitors.
It has also opted to create a "common market digital", which results in the creation of a fully digital Europe at the end of the decade and to reduce any barriers to electronic commerce in order to become more competitive. Not to mention a new "common market" has called for completion of the Bologna process in education to get a European University, to act collectively against their larger competitors, country to country because we do not have sufficient strength to act independently in an increasingly globalized market.
Of course, it has an impact on what represents the new Lisbon Treaty, to encourage the European institutions, stressing that we should not miss this opportunity, before this new momentum. Ie the possibility of an "efficient governance."
Finally made a review of the most important objectives of the EU's international agenda, especially the Summits with the U.S. and Latin America, and the implementation of new strategies in the Mediterranean area, ending with the value which should be European citizenship in all these events. Only with an involved and informed citizens about the EU can move forward, for it proposes to increase the visibility of social during this presidency and has proposed the establishment of a "great European social pact" without specifying any item on this subject except the memory of the possibility of Popular Initiative in Europe and the activation of the 'European protection "for women who suffer abuse.
We can see that there are many, varied and ambitious challenges of the agenda. Against those who say there are no targets, it will be difficult to refute. Another thing is how the presidency and achieve elapsed to complete the proposals are official.
I am optimistic, (being vigilant) and what do you think?

In a previous post indicated that culture was totally disappeared from the political agenda of the current presidency it's up to our country for the first half of 2010. Well, although that might seem, according to what was advised as a preview of the lines of the central axes of the presidency to scored from La Moncloa (and published on its website) and apart from the cultural activities which come "truffles" Presidency since long ago. It seems, at last, this is not going to be.
- I want to place special emphasis on what I consider a grave error: start the semester with an "elitist" gala at the Teatro Real is not the best way to convey the importance of the European agenda the rest of the population, there should be a series of more accessible and multitudinous acts which brings the context and importance of such event for a country like ours even more, considering that under our Presidency launches Lisbon Treaty -.
Well, having said that I share with you dear reader what he or she will assume the Presidency for culture in the European framework. According to the Operational Programme of the Council formations with regard to culture, is expected to be taken during this semester or reinforce the following efforts, where the objectives of the European Agenda for Culture :

In addition two other objectives are introduced in line with the Plan led by the Commission:
The effects of the implementation of Structural Funds for culture and promoting it as a factor for regional and local development through several initiatives already taken, such as the European Capital of Culture, and future, as the label European Heritage .
And the potential is determined by cultural and creative industries will in future Green Paper through the preliminary studies are being carried out by the Commission and Council. In addition, the Spanish Presidency will work on cultural content online, as well as the promotion of European cinema.
On these three issues. In the first case, nothing new under the sun. The use to talk about heritage and European Capital of Culture is a common resource of the Commission and the European partners, it is worth recalling here the light weight of the Directorate General of Culture the Commission, and historical baggage that have heritage policies in the European context (I recommend reading a previous post of mine in this regard, the emerging new).
On the two following good news and bad, a priori clear. It is worth noting the efforts of the Presidency in the Agenda to include the future role of cultural industries (and creative) in the Green Paper which is being designed and will establish the diagnosis Progress of the role of cultural industry in a European context for the first time since the EU. We must understand that there are plans for the development of a future White Paper, setting policies, agenda and funding for this sector, which certainly must be one of the priority objectives to allow a reversal of system productivity in Europe. This is certainly an area where it can be hard to overshadow the European Union.
That's the good news, bad (a priori) is certainly the aspect that the current head of the Ministry of Culture, can be given to what the Spanish agenda called "cultural content online," give me chills as the tandem Sinde / SGAE may influence the matter. To conclude, I would like to know what role you can play the illustrious minister of culture in defining European cinema (is there a European film as such?, Will the industry, because as a result of a specific film language, I say emphatically not), when Commission last month put paid to any policy of public support for our film (something of which I am glad, I am concerned and the couple puts us on the verge of something that we are branding is overt). Our system of protection of audiovisual Spanish, and antediluvian is completely misaligned with both the public taste, as with the current film production system, and can hardly be a benchmark for the European film industry. This question can be a great hindrance to prevent giving a boost to any matter that could be attempted from the chair.
The best, of course, is that no agenda for culture, small but with an important milestone: moving in the context of cultural and creative industries will have on the Green Paper's definition of culture in Europe. I at least for the moment I'm content with that. In the four Chairmen of the two previous years there was nothing, and is the first Spanish Presidency fixing measurable objectives relating to culture in the next 6 months.
We are expectant and report on the possible outcomes that may occur.

Whether you are missing a few days (8 today) for Spain to Sweden to relieve the President of the European Union, there are some last-minute events will give more meaning to the role that our country has played in the Balkans over the past two decades .
In a future post I will give my personal view of the scope and meaning of work and proposals Moncloa been placed on the Agenda Institutional coming months, but today I want to focus on two issues that will undoubtedly have long-distance during the semester Spanish.
On the one hand, the bet that since the presidency of our Government has made to open talks with Turkey, in order to silence criticism from the lobbies of Islamic influence, that the EU is an exclusively Christian club. Often these voices seem to forget (or do not emphasize) the bulk of Muslim population living in the frontiers of Europe: Britain, Germany, France and Spain are home in your breast to millions of citizens from the countries of the Maghreb, and other areas Mashreck Islamic culture.
Turkey, certainly shares more social and democratic principles in any European country with its neighbors such as Iran, Syria or Jordan to name a few examples. And this is the question to be resolved, first among its population, and later of the European population. No doubt Turkey is a cultural tradition of Islam, as Spain is culturally Catholic and Protestant Sweden. But among these three countries are our democratic convictions which draws us more than our traditions of origin.
This must be an incentive for the Spanish Government, to accelerate measures to grow the understanding that if Turkey is a true example of integration in a context of Islamic secular democracy. It is certainly an opportunity, and a value, that Spain has to understand the other European partners and the European population in general. We have a great opportunity and we can not pass up.
On the other hand, Serbia becomes another candidate for integration, given that today it has formally requested membership in the Swedish EU Presidency. Boris Tadic, Serbian President, has met with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, for this purpose to normalize its relationship with the EU, as it did at the time Slovenia and Croatia do as claimed.
With this gesture, a double question arises: Close the recent traumatic past of the region, with the unfortunate war in the Balkans and other full integration in European integration, which effectively force them to sit on an equal footing with other countries that once were enemies. Remains to be seen what steps will in this regard the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Undoubtedly, the move by Tadic is of great political finesse. Knowing that Spain assumes the presidency in 2010, and given the good bilateral relations between our countries, especially the common position cum, before the non-recognition of the Republic of Kosovo (which once divided EU members, and which today remains a matter of debate) and other issues related to the approach of how to establish partnerships and strategies in the Balkans, is a step that will make a strong push from the beginning of the previous meetings to membership, though risky step from the standpoint of economic times.
We will have to be aware of the steps now, Serbia, in the context of the EU, especially regarding their positions and opinions with the rest of the former ex-Yugoslav republics and of course to the economic and social conditions must meet before the signing of accession.
We will monitor the views of the Spanish Presidency on Turkey and Serbia.