Speech European Parliament, Strasbourg 19 February 2008
Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister

Prime Minister's speech to the European Parliament

Check against delivery

Mr President, Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me to be standing here today.
And to have the opportunity to present my thoughts on European issues to this Assembly.
It was visionary politicians who, after the Second World War, understood that the only way to secure peace was to tie together the countries of Europe in close European integration.
As was the case then, today's European integration must also be guided by a clear vision. We must ask the existential questions:
Where are we going and how shall we get there?
We must make the most of the opportunities of our time - but we must also be able to tackle the challenges of our time.
Our world is changing at a rapid pace and we are changing with it. We have become more and more dependent on one another.
The fundamental principle has to be this:
Our European integration model must be so strong that neither fanatical nationalism nor religious fanaticism can be a threat to peace and stability in Europe.
We must not be scared of a strong Europe. On the contrary, we must fear a weak Europe.
A strong Europe takes on a greater responsibility for global problems.
A strong Europe combines economic growth with climate-friendly policies.
A strong Europe looks out for its citizens' best interests.
A united Europe dares to give Kosovo a clear European perspective.
The Swedish Government believes in Europe's opportunities.
Sweden must have a clear and unquestioned place at the heart of European integration.
Since the current Government came to power in the autumn of 2006, we have also seen how the Swedish people's support for the European Union has grown.
There are people who say that this is all just a matter of luck.
To those people I say this:
The more you practice, the luckier you get.
And we have certainly been practicing. As early as in 1962 my party campaigned under the motto of 'Yes to Europe'. Thirty-three years later EU membership became a reality.

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It feels as though we can now breathe a sigh of relief after several years of tough treaty discussions. Chancellor Merkel did a tremendous job to help resolve the issue.
My special thanks also go to Prime Minister Socrates who skilfully led the treaty to a successful conclusion.
The Lisbon Treaty creates better conditions for more open, effective and dynamic European integration.
But above all, it opens up new opportunities to discuss issues that are important to the future.
Climate and energy, jobs and economic growth, demographics, migration and the EU's role on the international stage.
I intend to participate actively and fully in this debate. I want to work for a modern Europe based on the citizens' perspective.
We are all aiming for the treaty to come into force on 1 January 2009. Sweden will ratify the treaty during the autumn of this year.
In one and a half year's time, Sweden will hold the EU Presidency.
It will be an interesting Presidency with a newly elected European Parliament, a new Commission and the new leadership positions created by the Lisbon Treaty.
I look forward to very close cooperation with the European Parliament.
Some of the key issues during the Swedish EU Presidency will be:
Climate and energy, the Hague Programme, jobs and economic growth, Baltic Sea issues and the EU as a global actor.
We are working intensively on preparations.
We will also be ready should the unexpected occur.
In other words, there must be a large dose of flexibility and the possibility of adapting to circumstances as they arise.

Climate and energy

The issue of climate and energy is one of the largest challenges faced by society in our time.
We have a major responsibility to future generations to ensure that we succeed in formulating a policy for long-term sustainable development.
This will be one of the major issues during our Presidency.
Together we must work hard to reach an international agreement at the UN summit in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Thanks to historic decisions taken at the Spring Council last year, the EU has taken on a leading role.
But the EU cannot shoulder this responsibility on its own.
This will require close cooperation with a large number of other countries, including India, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.
Global demand for energy is expected to increase by 50 per cent by 2030.
The key to tackling climate change lies in how this increase in energy needs is dealt with.
The issue of improving energy efficiency is central here. But it is also central to achieving drastic financial savings.
The challenges of climate change call for a new political approach. We must dispel the myth that growth is the enemy of the environment.
Sweden is a living example of the contrary. Since 1990 our economy has grown by 44 per cent at the same time as our emissions have been reduced by nine per cent.
Investment in research and new technology, combined with a revision of taxes and regulations. This has opened the door to a development where the environment becomes a springboard for both new companies and jobs.
I am convinced that we can reach the goals set out in the EU's climate and energy package.
But we have to introduce the right policy instruments to encourage our societies and our companies to make the right choices.
The price of polluting our environment must be high, and the rewards for opting for carbon dioxide-free solutions must be tempting.
Green technology already exists. Governments have a huge responsibility for the transition that has to be made.
But so do the citizens.
I would like to make a pact with the citizens on supporting environmentally friendly alternatives. This will increase competition to the benefit of a more environmentally friendly society.
We all stand to gain from this.

The Lisbon strategy

The United States has been the world's largest economy for over one hundred years. Now new actors are influencing the global economy.
India's and China's economies are growing in leaps and bounds.
Globalisation has led to positive development in many parts of the world.
Globalisation is a force for democracy and clarifies the difference between open and closed societies.
But globalisation also increases competition.
The policies that gave us work, security and prosperity yesterday must constantly be modified for us to achieve the same success tomorrow.
Today one third of Europe's working age population is outside the labour market.
This is an untenable situation.
We must increase the labour supply and combat exclusion.
By reforms of national labour markets.
By investments in education and knowledge.
As economic integration grows increasingly stronger in the Union and around the world, successes and shortcomings in national reform efforts will no longer be solely an internal affair; they concern us all.
Our future prosperity in Europe is heavily dependent on how we Member States jointly create better conditions to make use of the possibilities and challenges of globalisation.
Not least, it is a question of how we tackle demographic developments and cross-border challenges in the environmental field.
A progressive EU energy and environment policy is a prerequisite for long-term sustainable growth and prosperity in Europe.
But it is also an important factor for our future competitiveness.
Through the Lisbon strategy for sustainable growth and employment, the EU has created means to meet these challenges.
The strategy exists.
Unfortunately, we got sidetracked when it came to implementing it.
Let us make a strong effort to strengthen the EU's global competitiveness by continued structural reforms and by investing in research and paving the way for new technology.
Let us make a real effort to complete the internal market and create a more innovative business climate in Europe.
Let us ensure that it is worthwhile to work.
Of course, there is still a great deal to do at both national and Community level.
I only need to say the words 'patent' and 'Working Time Directive' for you all to understand what I mean.
We must conclude the Doha Round of the WTO.
This would provide a strong impetus for economic recovery around the world.
We need an open world trade system and continued liberalisation if we are to increase Europe's competitiveness in the spirit of the Lisbon strategy.
At the same time, winds of protectionism are blowing through Europe.
We must resist this.
Protectionism is not a solution. In the long term it damages those it was meant to protect.
And there is no time to waste.
The window of opportunity in the WTO is closing.
But when we talk about the Lisbon strategy, let us not just complain like Eeyore the donkey in Winnie the Pooh.
Let us stop a moment and look back on the period gone by.
When we do so, we see the considerable success and progress that has actually been made. Factors that have led to the Lisbon process being a working process since 2005.
A process that has strengthened the commitments of the Member States and driven implementation and results.
A great deal is due to the Commission's resolute efforts and Commission President Barroso's strong personal commitment.
But I would also like to thank the European Parliament for your constructive role.
How do we find the best way to meet future challenges?
How do we jointly ensure long-term prosperity in Europe through sustainable growth and full employment? To enable Europe to hold its own in the global competition?
I see the Swedish Presidency in autumn 2009 as an excellent time to start/conduct the discussion on a future European strategy for sustainable growth and employment during the coming decade.

The EU budget

The EU budget has long since passed its expiry date.
The budget should be the primary instrument for realising the Union's goals. This being so, it must also reflect the goals better.
Today, 40 per cent of the budget goes to agricultural subsidies. To a sector that stands for 2 per cent of employment in Europe.
This is unreasonable.
Imagine if we instead were to increase the EU's investments in research and development, the fight against organised crime, environmental issues and external relations.
Imagine if we also dared to engage in a frank discussion of what should be financed at EU level and what should be financed nationally.

Demography/migration

Europe is facing a demographic trend with a rapidly ageing population.
A trend that will put our welfare systems under increasing pressure in the years ahead.
Fewer and fewer people will have to support more and more people.
Together with significant exclusion from the labour market, this reinforces the need for a job creation policy.
More people must enter employment in order to maintain good welfare in the future.
The growing percentage of older people in Europe is not matched by those who will be of working age.
This is precisely where migration comes in.
Properly handled, this can be an important and actually necessary piece of the puzzle for maintaining welfare that is worth the name.
Imagine all those newly arrived people who are positive, expectant and eager to do their part.
Let us make use of the positive energy that they bring with them.
We must create political opportunities for those people who have made their way to Europe. Opportunities that allow them to quickly enter the labour market.
Migration has become an increasingly important issue for many Member States.
But control measures, and readmission agreements must never be the only answer to the challenges that arise from increased migration.
Those who think it is enough to tighten up borders to solve the many and various issues of migration are making it easy for themselves.
A broader approach is needed - both for the EU and the countries of origin.
Sweden supports the ambitious objective of having a common European system of asylum in place by 2010.
In order to be successful the question will require intensive efforts.
Sweden also regards it as a priority to integrate the question of migration into the EU's external relations and increase the consistency between migration and development policy.
Then we must remember. It is only by efforts to deal with the causes of migration in the form of poverty and oppression that we can achieve real results.
A global approach is needed here. Not least within the framework of the UN High-Level Dialogue on Migration.
The EU has an important role in giving these ideas a more concrete content, not least in the form of broad and partnership-based cooperation with the African countries concerned.
We want to pursue an ambitious and forward-looking programme for 2010-2014 that will replace the Hague Programme.
We attach great value to the active participation of the European Parliament in this process.

International terrorism and organised crime

International terrorism is one of the greatest global threats to our open societies.
As the terrorist networks grow we see how more people are acting increasingly independently and terrorist attacks are less predictable.
Organised crime is becoming increasingly problematic in Europe. Individual countries are finding it increasingly difficult to combat serious, organised international crime on their own.
Much organised crime often originates outside the EU.
The Lisbon Treaty provides us with new tools in the fight against terrorism and other serious cross-border crime.
The European Parliament will have a central part to play in this connection. Approximation of regulations must continue.
The possibilities of mutual recognition of judicial decisions must continue to be developed.
The EU agencies Europol and Eurojust must be strengthened and exchange of information between national police authorities improved.
At the same time - and this is important - there must be a balance in what we do.
When we strengthen crime-fighting operations we must also strengthen the rights of the individual.
Not least we rely on the vigilance of the European Parliament here.
It is important for us to agree at EU level to strengthen legal security in criminal cases and the rights of victims of crime.

External relations

I want to see a Europe stepping forth as a voice for peace and reconciliation even in the parts of the world that are dominated by war and conflicts.
In Africa, Asia and Latin America, but of course also in Europe.
Sweden has initiated a broad discussion about the further development of Europe's common security strategy.
In 2009 we will be working hard to get the European External Action Service in place.
Helping to settle the conflicts in the Middle East must be one of the European Union's most important tasks in the years ahead.
A future solution between Israelis and Palestinians must build on a two-state solution under which both parties can live within secure and recognised borders.
We need an intensified dialogue with the Muslim world.
An important aim should be building up increased trust, respect and understanding between 'the West' and the Muslim world.
We are aiming for closer ties in all areas of society with Russia. It is our hope that the remaining obstacles to Russian membership of the WTO can be overcome.
It is in our interest that Russia develop into a modern, successful and democratic state.
Unfortunately, the move in a more authoritarian direction that we have seen over the past few years suggests a different kind of development. We are concerned about developments continuing in this direction.
The situation in the Western Balkans continues to be one of Europe's greatest and most difficult challenges.
For a long time to come we will be deeply involved in helping the state-building process in Kosovo.
The challenges we are facing must not be underestimated. The economic and social situation in Kosovo is difficult. There is a long way to go before it is a functioning constitutional state. State-building takes time - but we must be prepared to be present to help.
That is our responsibility.
But our commitment is to the region as a whole. It is important to stress this, not least in times like this.
European crisis management will be one of the most important questions in future European foreign and security policy.
Our country contributes - as far as we are able - to playing an active role for the continued development of European security and defence policy.
Sweden has participated in most of the operations which the EU has initiated. We are now prepared to participate in the EU mission in Chad.

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From Stockholm it is closer to Minsk than to the most northern parts of Sweden.
Belarus is Europe's last dictatorship.
It is our duty to do more to support the democratic forces in the country.
Developments in the Baltic Sea region are a European concern. Eight out of nine countries round the Baltic are members of the EU.
Almost a quarter of EU citizens - about 100 million people - are affected by the sensitive environment of the Baltic Sea.
This requires a concerted European effort. The Baltic strategy which the Commission has been given the task of preparing before the Swedish Presidency in 2009, will, I hope, meet the challenges in the region.
The strategy may serve as a model for how we in the enlarged EU meet challenges related to specific regions - to ultimately strengthen the EU as a whole.
I would like to end by saying a few words about enlargement. As you all know this is a matter close to the hearts of the Swedish Government and the Swedish people.
Enlargement has been one of the EU's greatest challenges, but also a prime opportunity.
For those travelling through countries that in recent years have become EU Member States, it is striking to see the development and faith in the future.
Unfortunately more and more critical voices are being raised against enlargement. Let me be clear: The most stupid thing we can do is to forget what we were supposed to be doing.
Why the concept of European integration arose.
Without enlargement Europe would not be what it is. Without continued enlargement we risk instability on our own continent.
Because enlargement is our most important strategic tool for spreading the values on which European cooperation is based.
We have pulled down one wall in Europe. We must not now build a new one against Turkey or other European countries.
We know now that there was so much more that could only have been done - or done better - by working together in Europe and globally.
Let us never take European integration for granted.
We need a strong Europe! Where we dare to aim even higher with good self-confidence.
Thank you for your attention.
I look forward to meeting you again in the summer when the rotating EU Presidency moves on.