The Swedish EU Presidency
On 1 July 2009 Sweden will be taking over the EU Presidency. One of the first steps in preparing the issues that will be on the agenda of the Presidency, the 18-month programme, has now been completed.
On 16 June 2008, the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) approved the 18-month programme jointly drawn up by France, the Czech Republic and Sweden. The programme is practically ready, but one or two minor changes must be made after the result of the 12 June referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon in Ireland.
The 18-month programme contains a joint strategic framework and a list of measures planned during the French, Czech and Swedish Presidencies that will apply from 1 July this year.
Swedish priorities
Sweden's overarching themes for the period 1 July - 31 December 2009 are prominent in the programme:
- Climate, energy and environment
- Jobs, growth and competitiveness
- A safer and more transparent Europe
- The Baltic Sea region and the European Neighbourhood Policy
- The EU as a global actor and continued enlargement
Sweden will also draw up a working programme for the six months when Sweden will be President. This work will be based on the 18-month programme and will be started in autumn 2008.
