Sweden in the EU

Speech by Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). November 21, 2023, Dublin. Check against delivery.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson presented the Government’s priorities in its work in the EU at the party leaders’ debate on EU policy in the Riksdag on 15 November 2023. Check against delivery.

The education sector in Ukraine has been severely affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since February 2022, more than 3 000 preschools, schools and other educational establishments have been damaged, and 360 have been completely destroyed. Sweden is now providing SEK 75 million to the UNESCO Emergency Fund. The Fund is, among other things, supporting renovation and reconstruction of damaged and destroyed shelters in preschools and schools.

The Government has decided to reintroduce border control at Sweden’s internal borders from 12 November 2023 to 11 May 2024. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is a serious threat to public order and internal security.

In a telephone call earlier this afternoon, H.M. The King and H.E. President Emmanuel Macron jointly decided to postpone the French State Visit to Sweden.

The funds will support Moldova’s vulnerable households through the winter, and contribute to long-term energy efficiency and expansion of infrastructure in the country.

On 9–10 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom is taking part in a joint meeting of foreign ministers from EU Member States and Gulf Cooperation Council Member States (GCC) in Oman’s capital, Muscat. In connection with this, Mr Billström will also visit Riyadh for bilateral discussions with his Saudi colleague.

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.