The Government's EU work programme
The Government attaches the utmost importance to work in the European Union. Sweden is to be at the heart of European cooperation and to drive forward Swedish priorities in an active and effective manner. At the core of the programme is a conscious and strategic responsibility for the major issues facing Europe in the future. These include the constitution process, cooperation on the environmental front including the climate issue, the long-term EU budget, the Lisbon strategy and the Union's response to globalisation. The Government is working for continued EU enlargement and for an EU that promotes peace, freedom and sustainable development at global level. The Government recommends a development whereby the EU concentrates on fewer and genuinely cross-border issues. The Government is also working to create an open EU that enjoys the strong support of the Swedish people.
At the European Council summit in June the Member States agreed on guidelines for a new treaty that will make current treaties more effective and adapt them to new challenges around the world. The Government supports the ambitions of the Portuguese EU Presidency for the Intergovernmental Conference that was started on 23 July to be concluded in time for the informal summit in October or by the end of the year at the very latest. It is also important for the Conference to carefully follow the mandate agreed upon by the European Council in June.
Climate and energy issues are among the most important challenges of our time, and the EU occupies a leading role in the fight against climate change. The Commission is expected to present several proposals, and in December negotiations on a global and comprehensive climate regime after 2012 will begin. It is very important for this meeting to establish an ambitious mandate for negotiations on a new climate regime.
The EU strategy for growth (Lisbon strategy) has been made a priority so as to create sustainable growth and high employment levels in the EU. Proposals for revised guidelines for work on this are expected in the autumn. The Government is working for a continued focus on the implementation of the Lisbon strategy. Reviewing the internal market will be a central task during the autumn. The Government is positive to this review of the internal market as it is an opportunity to modernise and develop the internal market and the conditions for companies and citizens. It is also important to reach agreement during the autumn on the directive on the liberalisation of postal services.
The EU's multi-annual financial framework will be reviewed in 2008/09. There is expected to be a broad discussion of several issues during the autumn. The Government is pressing for an in-depth and thorough reform of the EU financial framework and a reprioritisation of expenditures.
The Portuguese Presidency has set maritime policy as one of its priorities, and a draft action plan is expected in the autumn. The Government will, in this area of work, emphasize the unique conditions of the Baltic Sea and its huge importance for the people living in its vicinity. Any future maritime policy will have to contribute to growth and development in all regions of the EU and will have to do so in a way that also safeguards the environment.
In the area of foreign policy, the Government is working to ensure that the EU will act forcefully and collectively for peace, democracy and freedom in the world. The EU must make effective use of all the instruments at its disposal. Enlargement is one of the biggest successes of EU cooperation and the Government will work to ensure that the momentum of the enlargement process is maintained and that the EU's doors remain open. During the autumn there is also expected to be a focus on Africa and the EU-Africa strategy that will hopefully be adopted in December. The Government is keen for EU-African cooperation to reach concrete results and commitments from both sides.
