Sweden takes the six-month presidency of the EU Council
Sweden takes the six-month presidency of the EU Council
Sweden has taken over the helm of the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from the Czech Republic.
Stockholm: Sweden has taken over the helm of the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from the Czech Republic.
Sweden will hold the presidency for six months until June 30, reports the Xinhua news agency.
On December 14, 2022, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson presented the priorities for his country’s presidency – security, resilience, prosperity, democratic values and the rule of law.
Kristersson told the Riksdag that “Sweden is taking over the presidency at a time when the EU is facing unprecedented challenges. A greener, safer and freer Europe is the basis for our priorities”.
In the area of security (or the area of unity), the Swedish presidency will prioritize “continued financial and military support to Ukraine, as well as support for Ukraine’s path towards the EU”, according to the government’s website.
“The fight against transnational organized crime will continue and respond to citizens’ legitimate demands for safe and secure communities,” it said.
In terms of resilience (or competitiveness), “the EU must continue to provide the best possible conditions for a healthy and open economy based on free competition, private investment and successful digitization,” it said, adding that the Swedish presidency would strive to anchor a unified strategy for European competitiveness “at the top of the political agenda”.
On prosperity (or green and energy transition), it said the Swedish presidency would continue efforts to address high and volatile energy prices while addressing long-term energy market reforms.
The government also stressed the need to provide the right regulatory framework and policies to attract investment required for the transition to “a resource-efficient, fossil-free future”.
And in the area of democratic values and the rule of law, the Swedish Presidency emphasized the importance of maintaining “the rule of law and fundamental rights”.
Kristersson is to meet the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in the northern Swedish city of Kiruna on January 13, when they would hold talks on relevant work plans during the presidency and issues that need to be resolved in the near future.
Sweden joined the EU on January 1, 1995, and the country held the presidency of the Council of the European Union twice before — in 2001 and 2009.