MADRID - Spain's Economy Minister Nadia Calvino on Monday said Spain and Portugal urge the European Commission to present its proposal on a new fiscal rule for the bloc.

"We urge the EU Commission to come forward as soon as possible with draft legislation to enable us to reach an agreement in the second half of the year," Calvino said during a joint news conference with Portuguese Finance Minister Fernando Medina.

The fiscal rules currently in place force EU countries to limit deficits and public debt.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by David Latona)