Community
The Community section is the heart of the people-oriented online GUIDEPOST magazine. It covers people of all nationalities living in Spain — particularly though not exclusively those who are residing in Madrid — and their exciting life. The operative word in the Community is “international”.
Be sure to check out all main features: Embassy Row, the International Organizations and Clubs, and The Scene.
PICASSO, PRESUMABLY THE GREATEST ANTI-WAR ARTIST OF ALL TIME, LIVES AGAIN! »
The French Minister of Culture: "Picasso's work continues to exert a real fascination throughout the world, abundant, inventive and often radical. It never ceases to be reread, revisited and reinterpreted. This formidable posterity is what the 1973-2023 Picasso Celebration aims to explore, question and share with a new generation born in the 21st century."
THE FREE EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS: TRAVEL WITHOUT CARE! »
Summer is coming to an end. But travel and tourism remain uppermost in the minds of Europeans whose wanderlust seems insatiable after the lockdowns of the pandemic. A card in time saves nine hassles during vacations beyond national borders. Therefore, Spaniards and their European brethren had better be aware that there’s such a thing as the European Health Insurance Card which entitles travelers to public health assistance in the country they’re visiting. Get full info if you don't have it already!
HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY COST-FREE TRAVEL: “GET AN EHI CARD,” SAYS EU »
The EHIC, available free of charge, confirms that a person is entitled to receive medical treatment that becomes necessary on a temporary stay abroad from the host country's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of that country. The card is issued for free by their national health insurance provider in the home country.
IN THE FACE OF RUSSIA’S GAS WEAPONIZATION THE EU SCRAMBLES TO SECURE ENERGY SUPPLY »
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission adopted the REPowerEU Plan to end the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels asap. REPowerEU sets out measures on diversification of energy suppliers, energy savings and energy efficiency, and an accelerated roll-out of renewable energy. And the EU is succeeding in the attempt, too, after the Nord Stream II debacle which has sent German fuel supply, and by extension the EU's as well, into a tailspin.
THE EU BATTLECRY: SAVE FUEL NOW OR RISK FREEZING IN WINTER! »
"The European Union faces the risk of further gas supply cuts from Russia, due to the Kremlin's weaponisation of gas exports, with almost half of our Member States already affected by reduced deliveries. Taking action now can reduce both the risk and the costs for Europe in case of further or full disruption, strengthening European energy resilience." Accordingly, the European Commission has proposed a gas-demand reduction plan to prepare EU for supply cuts.
NATO SUMMIT SPAWNS FREE BUS RIDE »
FREE RIDE on EMT buses throughout the city of Madrid during the NATO Summit from the 28th to the 30th of June. The measure is in line with the plan of the Madrid City Council to momentarily wean users from private vehicles that will not only snarl up traffic but will also make the enforcement of security measures for the Summit all the more complicated. Passengers may use their transport pass to take the bus without the ride being charged against the pass. Or, if the passenger has no transport pass, the bus driver will issue a free ticket.
NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID SETS THE ALLIANCE’S STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT DECADE »
"NATO Leaders are meeting in Madrid at a pivotal time for our security. Russia's war against Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe, caused far-reaching energy and food crises, and shaken the rules-based international order. NATO's response has been swift and united. . . At the Madrid Summit, the Alliance will address other challenges, like China’s coercive policies or the security consequences of climate change. It will continue to adapt to a changing world and keep its one billion people safe."
SPANISH POLITICAL LEADERS CRUCIAL TO EU DIPLOMACY, TWO-PART SERIES: (1) JAVIER SOLANA »
Spanish political leaders have been playing a very significant part in bringing EU diplomacy to the world stage from the very beginning. The first permanent High Representative of EU's Foreign and Security Policy was the Spanish physicist-politician Javier Solana. He launched the difficult negotiation for Ukraine's membership in the European Union which angered Russia.
AMERICAN CLUB OF MADRID MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER »
The American Club of Madrid monthly newsletter. Great read! Check it out in GUIDEPOST!
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN ANNOUNCES CRIPPLING MEASURES AGAINST RUSSIA »
The European Union and its partners are working to cripple Putin's ability to finance his war machine. Von der Leyen will now be proposing to EU leaders that (1) the Union ensure a certain number of Russian banks are removed from SWIFT; (2) the EU stop Putin from using his war chest by paralysing the assets of Russia's central bank; and (3) the EU prevent Russian oligarchs from using their financial assets on our markets.
