Sweden’s presidency of the EU: climate change, economic crisis, Lisbon Treaty
Parliament heard today from Sweden's Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt,
about his government's plans for its six-month presidency of the EU.
Swedish PM Reinfeldt - President of the Council
A smooth transition to the Lisbon Treaty, the economic crisis and the growing climate crisis - "which in the long term is the greatest of our challenges" - were the main issues identified by Mr Reinfeldt, but he also referred to the plans for a "Stockholm Programme" on justice and home affairs.
First, however, he spoke of his own country's general attitude to the EU, saying "the realisation of Sweden's closeness and dependence on Europe developed slowly". For a long time Sweden had preferred to "contemplate it from a distance" but now "we are no longer afraid" and indeed the majority of the Swedish population has shifted to a positive view of EU membership.
Turning to the challenges facing the EU, he spoke first of climate change and stressed the multiple benefits of taking action: "when we use less energy, we save money. We improve public finances at the same time as households gain more resources". And "we improve our energy security". As a striking example, he pointed out that if Ukraine invested enough in energy efficiency to reach the level of the Czech Republic, it "could become completely independent of gas imports from Russia".
However, said Mr Reinfeldt, the upcoming Copenhagen summit must be used to bring on board the developing countries in the fight against global warming. They would need investment and technology transfer from the richer countries but it was crucial to "demand clear commitments from countries outside Europe". Ultimately, "the responsibility of the few must become the responsibility of all."
On the economy, the Swedish Prime Minister said "coordinated EU action is the best tool we have". The EU had already shown "leadership" but further measures must be discussed in the autumn. Above all "we must not forget that there are people behind the figures", who were worried about their jobs.
He listed three main areas for action. First, we must "restore confidence in the financial markets" including "a strengthened supervisory system". Second, we must "get ourselves out of the growing public deficits through a coordinated exit strategy and a gradual return to the regulations of the Stability Pact". Third, "we have to secure a social dimension to European politics, founded on sound public finances and on getting more people into the labour market. This is the best way to uphold our welfare system". A review of the Lisbon Strategy and resistance to protectionism were also important.
A key plank of the Swedish presidency will be the Stockholm Programme on justice and home affairs. This will seek to tackle international crime while safeguarding freedom of movement across borders, "one of our union's founding principles". It will also introduce a common system for asylum and resettlement.
The Swedish presidency will also act to move the enlargement process forward, seeking to serve as "an honest broker" on the basis of the EU's commitments.
Concluding, Mr Reinfeldt told the House "Many have told me this will be the most difficult presidency in years." Indeed, "Many ask themselves if a country of Sweden's size can shoulder this responsibility". His answer was "Not alone. But together we can take on the challenge". In the end, "The European project is about the dream of solving people's problems together. This is a dream that makes Europe strong".
A smooth transition to the Lisbon Treaty, the economic crisis and the growing climate crisis - "which in the long term is the greatest of our challenges" - were the main issues identified by Mr Reinfeldt, but he also referred to the plans for a "Stockholm Programme" on justice and home affairs.
First, however, he spoke of his own country's general attitude to the EU, saying "the realisation of Sweden's closeness and dependence on Europe developed slowly". For a long time Sweden had preferred to "contemplate it from a distance" but now "we are no longer afraid" and indeed the majority of the Swedish population has shifted to a positive view of EU membership.
Turning to the challenges facing the EU, he spoke first of climate change and stressed the multiple benefits of taking action: "when we use less energy, we save money. We improve public finances at the same time as households gain more resources". And "we improve our energy security". As a striking example, he pointed out that if Ukraine invested enough in energy efficiency to reach the level of the Czech Republic, it "could become completely independent of gas imports from Russia".
However, said Mr Reinfeldt, the upcoming Copenhagen summit must be used to bring on board the developing countries in the fight against global warming. They would need investment and technology transfer from the richer countries but it was crucial to "demand clear commitments from countries outside Europe". Ultimately, "the responsibility of the few must become the responsibility of all."
On the economy, the Swedish Prime Minister said "coordinated EU action is the best tool we have". The EU had already shown "leadership" but further measures must be discussed in the autumn. Above all "we must not forget that there are people behind the figures", who were worried about their jobs.
He listed three main areas for action. First, we must "restore confidence in the financial markets" including "a strengthened supervisory system". Second, we must "get ourselves out of the growing public deficits through a coordinated exit strategy and a gradual return to the regulations of the Stability Pact". Third, "we have to secure a social dimension to European politics, founded on sound public finances and on getting more people into the labour market. This is the best way to uphold our welfare system". A review of the Lisbon Strategy and resistance to protectionism were also important.
A key plank of the Swedish presidency will be the Stockholm Programme on justice and home affairs. This will seek to tackle international crime while safeguarding freedom of movement across borders, "one of our union's founding principles". It will also introduce a common system for asylum and resettlement.
The Swedish presidency will also act to move the enlargement process forward, seeking to serve as "an honest broker" on the basis of the EU's commitments.
Concluding, Mr Reinfeldt told the House "Many have told me this will be the most difficult presidency in years." Indeed, "Many ask themselves if a country of Sweden's size can shoulder this responsibility". His answer was "Not alone. But together we can take on the challenge". In the end, "The European project is about the dream of solving people's problems together. This is a dream that makes Europe strong".
