Sweden in EU

The EU-Western Balkans summit took place today. An important opportunity to reflect on how to deepen the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans, and move forward together towards a joint future in the EU. Read the summit declaration here: https://lnkd.in/eCVCFVrg

Sweden has launched a strategy for its foreign and security policy on cyber and digital issues. As an innovation leader, Sweden is working to maximise the benefit of digitalisation and to promote democratic development, security and competitiveness in the digital environment. At the same time, the world faces a growing cyber threat. International cooperation and enhanced security cooperation contribute to Swedish resilience. By virtue of its role as a leading global actor, and with a wide range of instruments available to it, the EU is Sweden’s most important foreign policy platform also in relation to cyber and digital issues. Read the strategy here: https://lnkd.in/ehep7GaB Photo: Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the presentation of the strategy.

The future enlargement of the EU was in focus when ministers for EU Affairs met in Brussels today. “Important to now show our political support for the enlargement process. I welcome the reform progress made not least by Ukraine and Moldova, despite Russia’s war and hybrid attacks. Sweden wants to see concrete progress in the accession process”, Sweden’s EU minister Jessica Rosencrantz commented. At the meeting, Council conclusions on enlargement were adopted. Ministers also prepared this week’s European Council, discussed EU-UK relations, and were updated on the ongoing EU-Switzerland negotiations. The Council’s 18-month programme, legislative work and the European Semester were also on the agenda. With the new EU Commission in place, Sweden has sent a a letter to President Ursula von der Leyen. Enclosed, are twelve non-papers with concrete proposals aiming to prepare the EU for the challenges we face today. The proposals align with Sweden’s EU priorities - continued support to Ukraine, competitiveness, climate and combatting organised crime. Photo: Minister Rosencrantz together with her French counterpart Benjamin Haddad.

The EU’s environment ministers met in Brussels today for the Environment Council. Here is an account on what was discussed! On Sweden’s initiative – with support from Denmark, Finland, and Luxembourg – the Council discussed the upcoming revision of the regulation on chemicals (REACH). A revision should aim at further protecting EU citizens from exposure to the most hazardous chemicals from everyday products. Another aim is to achieve non-toxic material cycles, that will also support the transition to circular economy. The ministers discussed the Commission’s communication on the EU’s 2040 climate target, which recommends reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. This an intermediate target, towards climate neutrality in the EU by 2050. At the Council, Sweden presented key components of a climate policy framework, which would enable support for a 90% target. Today, the ministers also agreed on the Council’s position on the proposal for a regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to the environment, to reduce microplastic pollution. Circularity requirements for vehicles design, and management of old vehicles, was another topic for discussion. Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister for Climate and the Environment, represented Sweden.

Vill du jobba på EU-representationen? Just nu söker vi en handläggare för arbete i EU-rekryteringsgruppen. Vi kan erbjuda dig ett spännande och utvecklande arbete i Europas hjärta. Sista ansökningsdag är 31 december! 👇 👇 👇 https://lnkd.in/eemQ-vTf

Secure, affordable, and sustainable energy in the EU was discussed at today’s Energy Council in Brussels. The ministers discussed future energy policy and how to build a genuine energy union. The energy union’s aim is to assure secure, affordable, and clean energy - for European energy sovereignty and climate neutrality. The ministers had an exchange of views on their prioritised actions to meet the energy union’s objectives, including measures to lower energy costs. Sweden believes that the future energy policies for decarbonisation and the green transition needs to be more cost-effective and less over-regulated, which is significant for both economic growth and the climate. The ministers also approved Council conclusions on the promotion of geothermal energy as an alternative source of renewable energy. Ebba Busch, Minister for Energy, Business, and Industry represented Sweden. In the margins of the meeting, the minister also had a bilateral discussion with her Polish colleague, as well as a meeting in the EU Nuclear Alliance.

Today EU foreign ministers adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia. It includes additional measures against the Russian shadow fleet to further limit the Russian war economy. “We must keep up the pressure against Russia and to counter the false Russian narrative that sanctions are ineffective”, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard said. She represented Sweden at today’s Foreign Affairs Council, which was the first one led by the new High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. With Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, the EU Ministers discussed the need for continued support for Ukraine during the upcoming winter The ministers also discussed possible measures to be taken in response to the recent worrying developments in Georgia and the back-sliding on the country’s EU path. The Commission will come with a proposal to withhold the visa-free regime with the EU for Georgian diplomats. The situation in the Middle East was discussed, with a focus on Syria’s transition and the need for a united EU approach as well as common principles for the EU’s engagement with the new leadership in Syria. Photos: 1: Minister Stenergard, HR/VP Kaja Kallas, Estonia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna 2: Press point 3: With France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot 4: With EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos

EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs have met in Brussels for a two-day meeting. Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer and Minister for Migration Johan Forssell attended the meeting. Main points on the agenda for Sweden: Minister Strömmer and his Polish counterpart Adam Bodnar marked the two countries full membership of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Sweden has appointed its first prosecutor Martin Bresman. The EU decided to lift land border controls with Bulgaria and Romania and to fully include them in the Schengen cooperation. Bulgaria and Romania have fulfilled their commitments towards the EU and this is therefore a welcomed decision, Minister Strömmer said. Sweden, together with 6 other member states, signed a declaration to show our disappointment with the fact that the child sexual abuse directive did not include the concept of lack of consent in the definition of rape in the directive. Sweden wanted stronger protection of the personal and sexual integrity of these young persons in the EU. Minister Forssell emphasised enhanced cooperation with 3rd countries to reduce irregular migration to the EU. An important decision was taken during the meeting by reinforcing the law to prevent and counter migrant smuggling. The issue is a priority for Sweden and Minister for Migration Johan Forssell welcomed the decision. Minister Forssell also underlined the need for the new EU Commission to use a whole-of- EU-approach and use a wide range of instruments to establish a sustainable EU migration policy.

After late-night negotiations, the EU’s fisheries ministers reached a deal on next year’s fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegatt, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs, represented Sweden at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels.

At the Economic and Financial Affairs Council today, EU ministers approved recovery and resilience plans from Sweden and three other member states. Reform of the EU’s customs legislation, revision of the energy taxation directive, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and implementation of new fiscal rules were other topics on the agenda. Niklas Wykman, Minister for Financial Markets, welcomed the adoption of the updated Swedish recovery and resilience plan. He also commented that a modernisation of the energy taxation directive would, together with other parts of Fit for 55, contribute to reaching EU climate targets. In connection with Ecofin, Minister Wykman also met with Maria Luís Albuquerque, new EU Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union. The strengthening of the EU’s capital markets is a priority for Sweden to support growth and long-term competitiveness. Making it easy for people to invest parts of their savings on the market is important. Sweden’s “Savings and Investment Account” (ISK) could be a source for inspiration in this regard.