European Sports Ministers are to hold their first ever formal meeting on Monday in Brussels, as part of the Council of Education, Youth and Culture, chaired by Spain's Secretary of State for Sport, Jaime Lissavetzky.

Since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force, sport has now become incorporated into EU policy. The EU's action in this area will be aimed at developing the European dimension of sport, promoting equality and accessibility in sporting competitions and cooperation between sports bodies, while protecting the physical and moral integrity of sports men and women, particularly children. Thus, for the first time, the Councul of Education, Youth and Culture, which is taking place in Brussels for the first time,

The Spanish Presidency of the EU believes that sport is an essential tool for improving Public Health. Over the period of its six-month term it is focusing on maintaining the growing pressure against doping and encouraging all programmes that emphasise the potential of sport as an instrument for social inclusion, integration, equal opportunities for both sexes and as a tool for the promotion of intercultural dialogue and peace.

The Ministers will be looking at two questions in particular during their discussions on Monday:

• Which are the specific areas where action at European level can provide greatest added value?
• Which two or three priority areas need most urgent attention?

The session focusing on sport will be held in the afternoon. In the morning, the Ministers for Culture, chaired by Spain's Minister Ángeles González-Sinde, will look at the contribution that culture makes to local development. They will also agree conclusions on the next steps to be taken in relation to the European digital library (Europeana) and will officially designate the cities of Riga (Latvia) and Umea (Sweden) as European capitals of culture for 2014.

Education topics will be discussed on Tuesday morning, with the meeting to be chaired by Spain's Minister for Education, Ángel Gabilondo. The Ministers will adopt conclusions on the social dimension of education and training, a priority area for the Spanish Presidency of the EU.

The Council will dedicate Tuesday afternoon to discussions on the issue of Young People, in a session chaired by Spain's Minister for Equality, Bibiana Aído. The Ministers are expected to adopt a resolution on inclusion of young people in the labour market and to discuss about the future programme to improve the mobility of young workers along the EU.