European cooperation has seldom been more important than it is today. We live in a time when the world around us is rapidly changing and where major common challenges must be dealt with globally and regionally. The EU is removing barriers and creating possibilities. We need to work together for a Europe that takes responsibility for economy, welfare, environment, security and peace. EU cooperation must be developed where it provides added value.
Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2009. The Swedish Presidency’s vision is a strong and effective Europe where focus is on the common responsibility to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, including preparedness to manage crises.
The coming six months will be characterised by both change and renewal. The newly elected European Parliament will begin its work and a new Commission will be appointed. The conditions for cooperation will change if the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force.
The biggest and most important challenges are the economy, employment and climate – issues that affect each and every citizen of the EU. The following are the primary objectives of the Presidency:
- The EU must emerge from the economic crisis in a stronger position. The world is experiencing one of the most serious financial and economic crises in modern times. The economic situation remains very difficult. Public finances are becoming more and more strained and unemployment is expected to increase during the autumn. A common capacity for action in both the financial and economic fields and in the labour market is necessary if the EU is to be able to meet the crisis in an effective manner. The Presidency and the Member States will jointly continue to work to counter the negative impact of the crisis on growth and jobs with the aim of realising economic recovery as soon as possible.
- The EU must continue to take responsibility for the climate threat. The great challenge of our time is to avert the climate threat and combat global climate change. Climate change has a major impact on societies, individuals and coming generations. The EU will continue to pursue global climate efforts. The task of the Presidency, together with other parties, is to work for the adoption of a new climate agreement during the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December.
Taking on both of these tasks involves an ambitious agenda for the EU. But at the same time it is also an opportunity for the EU to strengthen its competitiveness, create new jobs and contribute to a better environment. The ambition of the Presidency is to develop cooperation between different policy areas so that positive economic growth can be combined with reduced burden on the climate and environment. This requires advanced policy instruments, increased innovative capacity and renewal of the European business sector.
Europe is facing a number of other challenges. The EU must continue to develop towards a more secure and open Europe. The Presidency wants to develop cooperation across borders to protect democratic values and the rights of individuals, and to meet the challenges facing Europe. Joint efforts are necessary to combat international crime. The EU needs to establish a more efficient asylum and migration policy. The Presidency aims to develop cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs via the Stockholm Programme, which will be adopted in the autumn.
The countries around the Baltic Sea are currently facing common challenges. One of these is how we are to manage the urgent, serious environmental problems of the Baltic Sea. Another is how we can transform the Baltic Sea region into a stronger engine for growth and development. The Presidency will develop regional cooperation in the EU with the Baltic Sea states as a pilot area. By using common EU regulations, the environment will be improved and the competitiveness of the region strengthened. The Presidency’s objective is for the EU to adopt a strategy for the Baltic Sea region.
The Presidency will work to strengthen the EU’s role as a global actor with a clear agenda for peace, development, democracy and human rights. The most successful way to contribute to peace, democracy and prosperity in Europe is through enlargement. Work on enlargement is continuing.