The Swedish Presidency of the EU in autumn 2009 for the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

From 1 July until 31 December 2009, Sweden held the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. Under Sweden's leadership, the EU has been a strong actor both within and outside the EU. The Swedish Presidency focused, in particular, on our priority issues, while the EU agenda was moved forward in all the other areas and the Swedish Presidency represented the EU in relation to third countries.

The Presidency was characterised by two overriding issues:

• the climate change challenge
• the financial and economic crisis

The entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and related institutional issues also required major efforts. Moreover, the Stockholm Programme was adopted, the Baltic Sea Strategy was launched and the role of the EU as a global actor was strengthened.

The Presidency gave priority to the following issues in the fields of health and social affairs:

• preparedness for pandemic influenza
• preventing drug use
• preventing alcohol-related harm
• smoke-free environments
• eHealth for improved safety for patients receiving care in another EU country
• rights of patients when receiving care in another EU country
• safe and effective pharmaceuticals
• effective use of pharmaceutical products
• access to effective antibiotics
• safe organ donation and transplantation
• healthy and dignified ageing
• labour market inclusion to combat social exclusion
• combating poverty and social exclusion
• promoting the rights of the child

Sweden cooperated closely with France and the Czech Republic, which were part of the same Presidency Trio, in prioritising among many important issues. These issues also have the support of future Presidencies, particularly Spain, which is holding the Presidency after Sweden. The aim is to guarantee continuity in EU work and smooth transitions between Presidencies.

Several of the issues were discussed in working groups and in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Brussels, which Sweden was leading during the Presidency. These issues were also focused upon at conferences and meetings in Sweden. For more information on the meetings, the substance and results of the issues, see the web site of the Swedish Presidency of the EU.