- Please find attached next issue of the Bulletin PISM: “Budget Austerity Program in Spain” by Beata Wojna.

The decision to cut budget spending announced by Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero on 12 May is part of the EU’s plan for stabilization of the financial situation in the Eurozone and will help to increase the credibility of Spain and the EU, and calm the mood on the markets. Whether this situation can be maintained will depend however on Spain’s plan being put into action, and also upon completion of changes in those Eurozone countries that are facing serious difficulties with their public finances (Portugal, Spain, Italy and others).

- Please find attached next issue of the Bulletin PISM: “Dissolution of the Western European Union” by Dorota Liszczyk.

In the first half of 2010 the holder of the presidency of the Western European Union (WEU), Spain, announced in a statement made on 31 March this year that the organization was being dissolved. In accordance with the procedure provided for in the Modified Brussels Treaty, all WEU activity will cease by the end of June 2011. The treaty itself will also cease to be effective. These decisions will not have any adverse consequences for the development of European cooperation with respect to security and defense.

For further information: Polish Institute of International Affairs