The Nordic and Baltic Sea region

I believe it can be said that cooperation in our part of Europe has never been closer or more extensive - at any rate not since the more harmonious days of the Kalmar Union.

On the basis of common opportunities and challenges, we have also initiated cooperation on defence and security policy issues. Further, we are seeking to achieve cost synergies on a Nordic basis.

Important steps have been taken jointly with Finland. We have held discussions with Norway and Finland, focusing on new challenges and opportunities in the more northerly parts of our region. Denmark and the Baltic countries are equally natural partners for cooperation in various contexts.

We are open to continued and deepened cooperation throughout the region in what is sometimes called 'soft security policy', and we also see significant opportunities for deeper cooperation in a variety of peace operations.

The Government has taken an initiative to build a major pan-European research facility, the European Spallation Source (ESS), in Lund, in close cooperation with other Nordic and Baltic countries. ESS will give Sweden a unique opportunity to make the Nordic region visible in Europe as a region for high-quality research and as a place for economic growth.

This year, Sweden is chairing the Nordic Council of Ministers. In this connection we will seek mainly to move environmental and competition issues forward. We will also work closely with our Baltic friends - a relationship of cooperation to which the Government attaches the utmost importance.

The Government has also worked energetically for the European Union to adopt a Baltic Sea strategy during Sweden's Presidency in 2009. Putting the region in a stronger position to grow, fighting organised crime and improving the environment of the Baltic Sea will be key themes of this strategy.

This year we will continue the reform of the Council of the Baltic Sea States that the Government initiated during Sweden's chairmanship last year.

We continue to shape foreign policy aiming for broad political support in this Chamber.

We all have an interest in a Sweden with a clear voice in Europe and a strong commitment to peace, freedom and reconciliation.