Hans Dahlgren

On Wednesday 25 May, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will receive the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

At a press conference on Wednesday 13 April, Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren and Minister for Public Administration Ida Karkiainen reported on the Government’s overall efforts in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Government’s efforts cover three areas: sanctions against Russia, support to Ukraine and a stronger Sweden.

The Government considers that concrete changes need to be made to the European energy supply. EU Member States need to reduce their dependence on Russian energy. This was conveyed by Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren and Minister for Energy and Digital Development Khashayar Farmanbar at a press briefing.

Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren today presented six areas in which Sweden is pushing for the EU to take further decisions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These would entail additional and tougher sanctions against the Russian leadership and increased direct support to Ukraine.

The Government has decided to ban Russian aircraft from Swedish airspace. An ordinance to this effect enters into force on 28 February 2022.

The European Court of Justice decided yesterday that it is possible to stop payments of EU funds to Member States that do not fully respect the rule of law. Sweden played an active role in the legal process in which Poland and Hungary wanted to stop an EU regulation that would allow this.

On Wednesday 26 January, Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren presented the 2022 Statement of Government Policy in the Parliamentary Debate on EU Policy. The Statement, outlining how work on the Government’s priorities will be pursued at EU level, was followed by a debate on EU policy in the Riksdag.

The Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren, the Riksdag, 26 January 2022. Check against delivery.

At the EU’s General Affairs Council meeting on 14 December, the ministers for EU affairs approved the overall political direction for the French, Czech and Swedish Presidencies of the Council – known as the 18-month programme. The trio Presidency took over in January 2022, and Sweden will lead the work of the Council between 1 January and 30 June 2023.

The Presidency of the Council rotates between EU Member States every six months. During a six-month period, the Presidency will drive forward the Council’s work on EU legislation, ensure continuity of the EU agenda and ensure that legislative processes are carried out in an orderly manner and that Member States cooperate. The two main tasks of the Presidency are to plan and chair the meetings of the Council and its preparatory bodies and to represent the Council in its relations with other EU institutions.

Today in the Riksdag, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the ministers who will serve in the Government. The change of government takes place at a Council of State at the Royal Palace presided over by His Majesty the King. The Council of State begins at 13.00.

In response to the ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe, Sweden and others have signed a pledge for greater openness and transparency in the EU. All Member States, 37 MEPs, the European Commission and the European Ombudsman have signed the pledge, committing to work for greater transparency in the EU institutions.

On Monday, Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren and Minister for Employment Eva Nordmark met with French Minister of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion Élisabeth Borne and French Minister of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune. The aim of the meeting was to discuss various current issues, with a focus on the EU minimum wage proposal.

On Wednesday, the European Commission presented ‘Fit for 55’, the EU’s new climate package. The package contains the Commission’s proposals for reducing emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren welcomes the package, which represents a major and important step for the EU’s climate action.

Today in the Riksdag, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced the ministers who will serve in the Government. The change of government will take place at a Council of State at the Royal Palace presided over by His Majesty The King. The Council of State will begin at 14.15.

The Government decided today to support the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in a case before the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning new rules to make the EU budget conditional on respect for the rule of law.

The European Commission will be invited to Kiruna when Sweden holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January–30 June 2023.

The Conference on the Future of Europe will be launched on 9 May, Europe Day, and will run for a year. It will conclude in spring 2022 during the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Hans Dahlgren, Minister for EU Affairs and Ibrahim Baylan, Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation, Dagens Industry, March 30 2021