The second European Council of the year was held in Brussels on 28 and 29 June, under the presidency of Wilfried Martens, Belgian Prime Minister. The work of the European Council was dominated by current events: the conflict in the Middle East and the measures taken recently by the United States in regards to its economic relations with the EC. The state of progress of accession negotiations with Spain and Portugal have also been subject to discussion. Also covered were the economic and social situation, the intensification of efforts in light of an increasing modernisation of economic structures, the convergence of Member States’ economies and the fight against unemployment.