Mexico gives Sweden key role at climate conference in Cancún

Sweden and Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren have been given a key role in the negotiations at the UN climate conference in Cancún, Mexico. Sweden and Grenada will consult on shaping a common vision including long-term objectives for global climate action. Andreas Carlgren agreed to the assignment immediately.

• Press release: Mexico gives Sweden key role at climate conference in Cancún
• Speech given by Andreas Carlgren at COP16 in Cancún, Mexico

Conference on healthy ageing

On Wednesday 1 December the Social Council is holding a conference entitled Healthy Ageing - Mission Impossible? The theme of the conference is ageing and elderly health. The purpose is to share information to improve care for the elderly. The conference is webcasted.

President of the European Council visited Stockholm

Yesterday, Tuesday 23 November, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy visited Stockholm for a working lunch with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. The agenda for their meeting included current EU issues, focusing on economic policy and the discussions on the permanent crisis resolution mechanism, relevant treaty changes and the EU budget.

• News article: Herman Van Rompuy visits Stockholm

International conference on earned income tax credit

Should the earned income tax credit be expanded, and if so, how should this be done in order to achieve the greatest possible effect? What impact has the earned income tax credit had on jobs and employment in different income categories in Sweden and other countries? These are some of the questions being discussed at an international conference on the earned income tax credit organised by the Ministry of Finance.

Sweden is considering support to Ireland to reduce the threats to the economic recovery

The Irish Government on Sunday requested financial support from the EU, the eurogroup and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help resolve the country's substantial deficit problems.
"Anxiety in Ireland poses a threat to Europe's financial stability, which could lead to a slower recovery and a deeper recession. Against this background, the Government is prepared to consider a bilateral loan to Ireland in much the same way we helped Iceland and Latvia," says Minister for Finance Anders Borg.

• Statement by the Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers (pdf 41 kB)

Sweden supports the build-up of the Afghan army

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt announced at the ISAF Summit in Lisbon that Sweden will be contributing SEK 20 million to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund, set up by NATO to educate and train the Afghan Army.

• Press release: Sweden supports the build-up of the Afghan army

The Government extends support programmes for banks

The Government has decided to extend the state guarantee programme for banks and other financial institutions until 30 June 2011. The phase-out of the programme will continue by halving the financial framework to SEK 750 billion.
"We want to keep the support programmes in place a while longer, since it is difficult to assess whether the unrest in the financial markets in other countries will affect Sweden in the future. At the same time, the situation of banks in Sweden is currently so stable that it is reasonable to continue the gradual phase-out of the programmes," says Minister for Finance Peter Norman.

The ministers interviewed: Andreas Carlgren

Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren talks about the major issues in environmental policy in the coming years. He speaks about the climate and the need for renewable energy, and also mentions a non-toxic environment and how Sweden will work on biodiversity in the immediate future. Mr Carlgren also explains why he personally became involved in politics at the beginning of the 1970s.

• More about Andreas Carlgren

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt comments on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi

"I am extremely pleased that Aung San Suu Kyi is now finally free. She is an inspiration to all of us who believe in democracy and human rights. I urge the regime to release all political prisoners in Burma."

• Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt comments on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi

The ministers interviewed: Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd

Minister for Communications Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd describes her vision for infrastructure policy over the next few years. She discusses green traffic and the importance of traffic information. Ms Elmsäter-Svärd also explains why she got involved in politics.

• More about Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd