Sweden in the EU

Support for Ukraine and continued pressure on Russia, climate and energy issues, and putting long-term EU competitiveness on the agenda have defined the first half of the Swedish Presidency. The Presidency has led the work in the Council towards the goal of making the EU safer, greener and freer.

On Friday 31 March, Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall will hold a press briefing on the occasion of the halfway point of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

EU energy ministers will gather on 28 March under the leadership of Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch. The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) is expected to adopt a general guideline on the gas and hydrogen package. The aim is to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon gas in the EU’s energy system, while the use of natural gas decreases.

Foreign direct investments are hugely important to Sweden’s business sector. At the same time, there are risks associated with foreign actors investing in protected activities. The Government has therefore today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for a new act under which investments that involve security risks can be reviewed by a special screening authority and, if necessary, prohibited.

The King and Queen will pay a State Visit to Estonia on 2–4 May 2023 at the invitation of President Alar Karis. The accompanying delegation will include members of the Swedish Government.

Today, a total of €7 billion were pledged by the international community at the ‘Together for the people of Türkiye and Syria’ International Donors’ Conference, co-hosted by the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, and by the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, for the Swedish Presidency of the Council.

Today, Monday 20 March, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission hosted an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. At the Conference, Sweden presented its total support of approximately EUR 45 million. Pledges made at the Conference totalled approximately EUR 7 billion.

During the week of 20–24 March, several meetings focusing on education will be held as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Skills supply, the green transition and education for Ukrainian pupils are among the agenda items. Minister for Education Mats Persson and Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm will both deliver opening addresses.

On Monday 20 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will attend the international donors’ conference in Brussels. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU initiated the donors’ conference to help the people in Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquakes.

On 20–21 March, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission will co-host the European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels. The Forum brings together decision-makers and key actors from the humanitarian community with the aim of strengthening the EU’s role as a humanitarian actor. The Forum will be chaired by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business, and Industry Ebba Busch.

EU environment ministers are meeting in Brussels on 16 March for the first Environment Council of the year. Among the matters they are expected to agree on is a general approach on a proposal to revise the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which contains pollution prevention and control measures. This is a priority issue for the Swedish Presidency.

Speech delivered by Jakob Forssmed at the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on 13 March 2023. Check against delivery.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.

Earthquakes: The European Commission and the Swedish Council Presidency will host an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria on 20 March in Brussels.

Today, UN negotiations on an agreement to protect marine biodiversity succeeded after 15 years. The agreement will establish rules to limit environmental impacts and marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has led the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its Member States together with the European Commission.

On 7–8 March, EU defence ministers will gather for an informal meeting in Stockholm.

Sweden warmly welcomes today’s announcement that a deal has been reached between the European Commission and the Government of the United Kingdom on the issue of the Northern Ireland Protocol. We congratulate President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Sunak and their respective teams on this important achievement.

On Monday 27 February 2023, Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall spoke at the Monday movement demonstration of solidarity with the people of Ukraine at Norrmalmstorg. Check against delivery.

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU is toughening its sanctions against Russia. This is the first sanctions package adopted under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The new sanctions include measures such as expanded export restrictions on technological and industrial products vital to Russia’s economy and military capability.