Sweden in the EU

On 28 September 2023, Mr Billström is visiting The Hague for talks with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot. Mr Billström is also planning to visit the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Slovenia has been hit by torrential rainfall this month, with downpours destroying a number of bridges. The Swedish Government has therefore decided that the Swedish Transport Administration will donate three temporary bridges to Slovenia.

The defence ministers of the EU Member States will gather for an informal meeting in Toledo, Spain on 29–30 August. The meeting will focus on EU military support to Ukraine.

Each year Member States submit a national reform programme to the Commission, which reports on implementation of the European Semester, which is a framework for the coordination of economic policies across the European Union, in national policies.

Ahead of the anniversary of the August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, the EU is imposing new sanctions in response to the increased domestic repression in the country. The measures are also in response to Belarus’s support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Written statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at the Commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court United Nations Headquarters, New York 17 July 2023.

Negotiations on major parts of the EU’s comprehensive Fit for 55 climate package were concluded under the Swedish Presidency. The legislative package contains new or updated legislation in the areas of climate and environment, energy and transport, which will lead to EU Member States reducing their emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 and reaching climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

A greener, more secure and freer EU was the goal when Sweden took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January. As the Swedish Presidency comes to an end, it is time to sum up the major achievements – for Sweden and for the EU: Fit for 55, which is the world’s most ambitious climate package, a historic agreement on a new migration policy, and sustained and strengthened support for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is in Brussels for the two-day summit of the European Council. Agenda items include EU support to Ukraine, security and defence, China, migration and competitiveness. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will also sum up the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Singapore, 3rd of June, 2023 Check against delivery

The Council of the European Union will today adopt a decision to sign a free trade agreement with New Zealand. It will also adopt a decision to authorise the European Commission to open negotiations on agreements on digital trade rules with Singapore and South Korea, and on the conclusion of digital trade principles with Japan.

In view of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the EU is adopting new sanctions against Russia. This is the second sanctions package adopted during Sweden’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. The focus is on measures that restrict Russia’s access to European technology and prevent the sanctions from being circumvented via third countries.

On 26–27 June, Europe’s key stakeholders in the life sciences sector will gather to highlight the importance of research and innovation in personalised medicine. The conference, organised within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be live-streamed.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström received Finland’s newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen yesterday.

The declaration was presented at a conference that the Swedish Presidency hosted together with the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova on research data, and how research infrastructure provides new possibilities and benefits for society. The conference took place in Lund, Sweden, on 19–20 June 2023.

EUR 5.6 billion has been pledged to the Syrian people and Syrian refugees in the neighbouring countries during the annual donor conference in Brussels.

The Government has decided to nominate Thomas Östros as a candidate for the post of President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

What opportunities and challenges do today’s cyber diplomats encounter? On 15 June, Sweden is hosting a high-level meeting with the Indo-Pacific region and the European Union on cyber diplomacy.

On Tuesday 13 June, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed will chair the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Luxembourg.

Stockholm, June 8, 2023 Check against delivery