Sweden held the Presidency of the European Union in 2001.Sweden's next presidency will be in 2009, the same year as the presidency of France and the Czech Republic.
The overall objective of Sweden’s EU efforts since its accession to the Union in 1995 has been to work toward long-term sustainable economic, social and ecological development that benefits everyone. The Swedish government endeavors to create a Union that is more open, effective and equal and to ensure that the EU actively contributes to fair, peaceful global development.