Sweden promises to uphold fundamental European values when it takes over the EU presidency
Sweden has taken over the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the third time since joining the bloc. The first major meeting of its current term takes place on Friday.
Stockholm has pledged to uphold core European values during the six-month period, but some EU analysts question whether domestic politics will have an impact.
The Nordics’ new right-wing coalition government is supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats and led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
“Sweden takes over the presidency at a time when the European Union is facing unprecedented challenges,” he said.
“A greener, safer and freer Europe is the basis of our priorities.”
Stockholm said its four priorities were: security, resilience, prosperity and democratic values.
– This government will make Sweden’s work in the EU a top priority, says EU Minister Jessika Roswall.
“It is in Sweden’s interest to maintain unity in the EU and push forward issues that require common solutions.”
During the coming six months, Sweden will be tasked with setting the political agenda and steering the debate among the member states.
For more see the Euronews report in the video above.