The work of the Ministry of Environment during Sweden's Presidency of the EU

On 1 July 2009, Sweden will take over the Presidency of the EU. This means that for six months, Sweden will lead the EU's work and be responsible for ensuring that progress is made on a number of important EU issues. The Swedish Government aims to be a driving force in EU environment policy.

The Swedish Presidency´s logotype

A great deal of attention will be given to environmental issues during the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in autumn 2009. During its Presidency, Sweden will also represent the EU at the UN global conference of the parties in Copenhagen in December 2009, where a new climate agreement after the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, is due to be concluded.

The six-month programme for the Swedish Presidency will specify the Presidential agenda. Efforts to draw up this programme are under way and it will be presented shortly before the beginning of our Presidency.

Ministry of the Environment priorities

The Ministry of the Environment's four preliminary priorities for the Presidency are:

  • Climate
  • The marine environment
  • Biological diversity
  • Eco-efficient economy

For more information on these issues, see the Priority issues page. The Government will raise these issues at the meetings it is holding in Sweden. Information about these meetings is on the Meetings in Sweden page.

Joint 18-month programme

Sweden will hold the EU presidency in the autumn of 2009. The Czech Republic will be heading the EU Council of Ministers during the spring and France has just finished its presidency. Sweden, France and the Czech Republic have made up the trio presidency since 1 July 2008. The three countries have presented a joint, 18-month programme. The programme, which began on 1 July 2008, provides a common focus for the three presidencies and constitutes a list of measures planned to be implemented during the period. The three presidencies will cooperate closely in order to be able to implement the programme in the best possible way.

Sweden's overarching themes during the 18-month period are:

  • Climate, energy and the environment
  • Jobs, growth and competitiveness
  • A safer and more open Europe
  • The Baltic Sea Strategy and relations with the surrounding area
  • The EU as a global actor and continued enlargement

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Miljödepartementet (e-post till Miljödepartementet)
Publicerad 3 februari 2009
Uppdaterad 2 juni 2009