In 2006, the fifth anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus, which occurred in Valladolid on 21 May 1506, is being fulfilled. Five centuries after its death, the Ibero-American Community of Nations is a consolidated reality, based on links of language, culture, values and common history. For Spain, relations with Latin America have always been one of the priorities of its foreign policy, one of whose objectives is the strengthening of this community. The celebration of this event is a good occasion to reinforce this objective, further boosting the existing political and cultural ties of Spain with the Ibero-American nations.

For these reasons, and in order to be able to carry out a programme of activities on the occasion of the commemoration of the fifth centenary of his death, it is considered necessary to set up a national commission to undertake the preparation and organisation of such activities.

In its virtue, on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the prior approval of the Minister of Public Administrations and after deliberation of the Council of Ministers at its meeting on November 28, 2003,

D I S P O N G O:

Article 1. Creation.

The national commission is created to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus. This commission, attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will schedule, promote and coordinate the activities carried out by public administrations, public entities, private and private entities participating in the celebration.

Article 2. Composition.

For the fulfilment of its purposes, the national commission will be structured in the following bodies:

a) The President.

b) The Plenary Session.

(c) The Executive Committee.

Article 3. The President.

The national commission will be chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will be able to be replaced by the Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Latin America.

Article 4. The plenary session.

1. The plenary session shall be chaired by the President of the National Commission and shall be composed of the following members:

(a) Linked to the General Administration of the State:

The Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Latin America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Secretary of State for Culture of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Tourism of the Ministry of Economy.

The Secretary General of Defense Policy at the Ministry of Defense.

The Secretary General of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.

The Director General of Foreign Policy for Latin America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Director General of Cooperation with Latin America of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.

The Director General of Cultural and Scientific Relations of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.

The Director General of Cooperation and Cultural Communication of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

The Director General of the Book, Archives and Libraries of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

The Director General of the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music, Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

The President of the State Society of Cultural Memorial.

The Admiral Director of the Institute of Naval History and Culture.

The Deputy Director General for Cooperation and Foreign Cultural Promotion of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, who will act as Secretary.

b) The Director of the Royal Academy of History.

c) The ambassadors accredited in Madrid from the countries of the Ibero-American Community of Nations and the Secretary of Ibero-American Cooperation, upon their acceptance at the request of the President.

d) In a personal capacity and subject to its acceptance at the request of the President, up to 10 prestigious personalities in the world of history, culture and diplomacy.

e) The President of the National Commission may increase the number of vowels with the appointment of

representatives of other institutions and entities that request it, as well as other people of prestige in the world of history, culture and diplomacy.

2. These are the powers of the plenary:

(a) Approve the Commission's programme of activities and monitor its implementation.

b) To seek the collaboration of administrations, public or private institutions and individuals that are considered accurate for the proper relevance of the commemoration.

c) Coordinate, support and encourage the activities of other agencies and entities that it considers appropriate for the commemoration of the centennial.

d) Designate, on a proposal from the President, a coordinator and collaborators for the development of the program of actions foreseen by the Commission, which will act under the supervision of the Executive Committee.

Article 5. The Executive Committee.

In order to ensure the implementation and monitoring of the agreements of the Commission, an Executive Committee, chaired by the Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Latin America, will be created, which will be composed of the Member of the Commission's plenary session, with a maximum of seven. The secretariat of the Committee shall be held by the Committee's secretariat.

These are the competencies of the Executive Committee:

a) Propose to the plenary, for approval, the programme of activities of the national commission.

b) The study of the commemorative activities proposed by other bodies, entities or individuals, for their elevation to the plenary.

c) The follow-up of the commemorative activities proposed by other bodies, entities or individuals, for their elevation to the plenary.

d) The study, report and proposal of how many cases the President or the Plenary entrusts.

Article 6. Personal and material means.

1. All the charges of the Commission and of the Executive Board shall be of an honorary nature and shall not be paid for the performance of their duties, except where appropriate, the compensation for the service provided to them by the Commission. Royal Decree 462/2002 of 24 May.

2. The institutions represented in the plenary session, as well as any other public, private or private entities, may make contributions or raise funds for the financing of the activities to be carried out.

3. The operation of the national commission will not increase public expenditure.

Article 7. Operation.

Without prejudice to the peculiarities provided for in this royal decree, the functioning of the Commission shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter II of Title II of Law No 30/1992 of 26 November 1992 on the legal framework of the Public administrations and the Common Administrative Procedure.

Article 8. Extinction.

The Commission shall cease to perform its duties and shall be deemed to be extinguished after the objectives and acts which determine its creation have been fulfilled and, in any event, before the end of the first quarter of 2007.

Single end disposition. Entry into force.

This royal decree will enter into force on the day following its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Given in Madrid, 2 December 2003.

JOHN CARLOS R.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs,

ANA PALACIO VALLELERSUNDI