STOCKHOLM, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) — Sweden on Sunday took over from the Czech Republic at the helm of the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
Sweden will hold the presidency for six months until 30 June 2023.
On December 14, 2022, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson presented the priorities of the Swedish presidency – security, resilience, prosperity, democratic values and the rule of law. Kristersson told his country’s parliament that “Sweden is taking over the presidency at a time when the European Union is facing unprecedented challenges. A greener, safer and freer Europe is the basis of our priorities.”
In the area of security (or the area of unity), the Swedish presidency will prioritize “continued financial and military support for 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 the area 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 digitalisation”, 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 emphasized the need to provide the right regulatory framework and policies to attract the 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 will hold talks on relevant work plans during the Swedish presidency and issues that need to be resolved in the near future.
Sweden joined the EU on 1 January 1995 and the country twice previously held the presidency of the Council of the European Union, in 2001 and 2009 respectively.
Source: sn.dk