Your EU story
Do you have experience of working and living in other EU countries, or have you done business with other EU countries? The European Commission is currently collecting stories from enterprises and citizens in EU countries to learn of their experiences of the EU single market. The aim is to develop and adapt the single market to the full. Minister for Trade Ewa Björling has government responsibility for single market issues.
"I think it is a good thing that the Commission is gathering in experiences in this way," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling. "Swedish citizens and companies have everything to gain from making their voices heard. Two thirds of Swedish trade takes place within the EU single market, so it is important for us that the market functions as well as possible. I hope that as many people as possible can contribute their experiences."
The Commission will select five contributions from those submitted. The authors of the five selected contributions will be able to participate in the Single Market Forum in Crakow, Poland, on 3-4 October. The Single Market Forum is an annual event arranged by the Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Presidency.
The deadline for contributions is 24 June.
EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs to visit Gunilla Carlsson
On Thursday 9 June EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs will visit Stockholm for talks on EU development policy with Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. Commissioner Piebalgs and Ms Carlsson will also participate as keynote speakers at a seminar arranged by Sida on development challenges in countries characterised by violence, conflict and fragile situations.
Sweden contributes additional humanitarian support to Libya
"Due to the continuing difficult humanitarian situation in Libya and its consequences for the neighbouring countries, Sida is now contributing additional humanitarian support to assist those affected," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Carl Bildt: "Critical time for Internet freedom"
The Internet must remain free and we must become better at implementing human rights on the Internet. This was the message of Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in a pre-recorded speech at the international forum on Internet governance currently under way in Belgrade. The event - called EuroDIG - is open to experts, activists, entrepreneurs and governments. Next year EuroDig will be held in Sweden. These issues are particularly topical as the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression will be releasing a report on Internet issues later this week.
Carl Bildt in Rome to celebrate 150th anniversary of Italian unification
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt was in Rome on Thursday to attend the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. The celebrations ended with an official dinner at the Quirinal Palace hosted by Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano.
Gunilla Carlsson takes part in conference on aid effectiveness
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson gave the opening address Monday the 30th at an annual conference on aid and development issues at Stockholm School of Economics. The conference - which is jointly arranged by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics and East European Economies at the School of Economics - brings together international and Swedish development economists to discuss subjects including the challenges involved in making aid more effective.
Minister for Foreign Affairs comments on arrest of Ratko Mladic
"We congratulate Serbia and President Boris Tadic on the arrest today of Ratko Mladic. It is extremely significant, in that it means we can draw a line under a tragic chapter in the history of Europe."
Environment and sustainability on agenda when Gunilla Carlsson takes part in UN High-Level Panel
On 18 May, members of the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability will come to Stockholm to participate in the Nobel Laureate Symposium, which brings together Nobel laureates, researchers, politicians and business leaders. The High-Level Panel will be represented by Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, President Tarja Halonen of Finland, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd and others.
Future of Doha Round on agenda as EU trade ministers meet
EU trade ministers meet in Brussels tomorrow, 13 May, within the framework of the Foreign Affairs Council. The Doha Round will be discussed during the meeting.
Ewa Björling leads transatlantic project to boost trade
Tomorrow, 12 May, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will lead the "Trans-Atlantic Task Force on Trade", a project group to promote increased transatlantic trade and analyse how the EU and the United States can work together to strengthen free trade and the ongoing Doha Round negotiations.
