Special report by Lionel Changeur
A Swedish Presidency determined to succeed
For the second time in its history, Sweden is getting ready to chair the Council of the European Union for six months, from 1 July until 31 December 2009. And it is champing at the bit to show what it is capable of, particularly after the fairly disorganised job done by the outgoing Czech Republic. In Prague, Internal political squabbles, procrastination over the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon and sideslipping, at times Eurosceptical, won out over the genuine desire of the Czech civil servants to carry out the work of the EU. In Stockholm, on the other hand, the political climate is set fair. "We are going to show that today's Sweden wants to play a new, more proactive and positive role in the EU", the Swedish prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, announced on 11 June. He and his party, the moderate party, have always been fervent supporters of the EU ("Yes to Europe" was the party's slogan as long ago as 1962). A member of the EU since 1995, "we want to make our contribution to Europe and European integration constructively", the Swedish Prime Minister pledged.
Reinfeldt's government, which has been in power since 2006, is made up of four parties positively disposed towards the EU and with a majority in the Swedish parliament, the Riksdag. At the moment, there is only one political party within the Swedish parliament still opposed to Sweden's membership of the EU: the leftist party, which is made up of former communists. The Greens, formerly Eurosceptic, have now joined forces with those who believe that the right course of action is to make the most of Sweden's membership of the EU.
Things were very different during Sweden's previous Presidency, in the first half of 2006. Then, the extremely narrow results in the referendum on Sweden's accession to the European Union continued to cast a shadow (on 13 November 1994, the "yes" won with just 52.2% of the votes and a turnout rate of 82.4%). Back then, the main question preoccupying many Swedes was still: should we stay in the Union or leave it?
The Reinfeldt says that it has done a great deal and communicated a great deal to bring public opinion round to be more favourable towards Europe and its institutions. By saying, for example, that Sweden needs to be at the heart of European cooperation, and by explaining that a great many problems and challenges (environmental protection, climate change and, more recently, the economic and financial crisis) have greater prospects of being sorted out if we act together than if each country follows its own agenda.
To a certain extent, the results of the European elections in Sweden have also shown that the general public are taking a great interest in Europe. Sweden is one of the only countries of the EU in which the turnout rate of the elections has increased, rising from 38% in 2004 to 43% in 2009. The two parties which did the best in the elections are the Greens (now in favour of the EU) and the Liberals (the most pro-European party). The crisis and the approach of the Swedish Presidency go some way to explaining this bolstered interest in European affairs.
Cecilia Malmström, the Swedish Minister for European Affairs, told a press conference in Brussels on Monday 22 June that Sweden was "aware of the problems in the work awaiting this Presidency", because: - the dossiers to be dealt with are tricky ones; - the European Parliament is brand new; - the Commission is soon to be renewed; - "a few uncertainties" remain over the institutional framework (forthcoming referendum in Ireland); - and the economic and financial crisis still looms large. "We need to be able to count on the assistance of all of the countries of the EU and its institutions" and we will try to work as "openly, effectively and inclusively as we can", said Ms Malmström.
Cecilia Malmström sets out Swedish Presidency objectives
As the Swedish term of EU presidency draws near, Cecilia Malmström, Minister for European Affairs, kindly agreed to answer our questions:
Agence Europe: What, briefly, are the main priorities of the Swedish presidency?
Cecilia Malmström: The two main priorities are of course handling the economic crisis and the climate issue, looking towards a Copenhagen consensus in December where we will do our utmost to see that Europe can contribute to a global deal on a post Kyoto protocol. Three others are: the Baltic Sea strategy, that we hope to be able to adopt during our presidency, the Stockholm programme - the five year programme on Justice and Home affairs, police cooperation, and migration and so on (…) and moving forward the relations with our neighbours. That is, if possible, to continue negotiations with the two candidate countries, Croatia and Turkey, knowing full well that these issues are difficult right now as the negotiations with Croatia are blocked for the moment, and also move forward with the Eastern Partnership that was adopted in May and that is going to come into force on the 1st of January 2010.
AE: How many chapters could then be opened with Croatia and Turkey ?
CM: For the moment, all chapters are blocked with Croatia, so we must see whether they can solve their bilateral conflict (ED: with Slovenia) because, for the moment, it's not possible to open anything. On Turkey we don't know. We hope at least that we can open one.
AE: In the autumn, the Commission will present a legislative package on financial supervision based on the recommendations of the “de Larosière” report. What is the timetable you foresee to implement these measures at EU level and how do you intend to gather international support for a more effective financial supervision at global level?
CM: We would rather have it done well than have it done quickly. These are very sensitive and complicated issues, so we are looking forward to the communication by the Commission, which will give a sort of time framework for this and we will try to move on as swiftly as possible. These issues are difficult and we prefer not to set a final deadline but we intend to move forward as much as possible. The G20 meeting in Pittsburgh in September is also a good occasion to push forward the global discussion.
AE: Do you plan to organise an Ecofin Council meeting to prepare for the G20 in September?
CM: We haven't planned that for the moment. It depends very much on what is on the agenda and I think we can't really foresee that. So for the moment there is nothing planned. We have the general preparation for that, so for the moment 'no'.
AE: In view of the Copenhagen negotiations, how do you expect to convince EU Member states and international partners to share the burden of funding measures to combat climate change?
CM: We don't have a secret negotiating formula. We can only argue and ask for member states and others that they stick to commitments made already. We need to discuss the sharing globally and also internally in the EU. I think all countries are aware of this and what we need to discuss is very much how we can make these things profitable so that we can invest in green technologies and green jobs that would also lead to growth in the future. We have to show that investing in climate is also good for jobs and welfare. So we just have to move on discussing and there is lot of discussion going on in the Major Economies Forum (MEF), the working groups of the UN, etc.
AE: What about Poland for instance?
CM: Well I think all countries know we have to move forward, because Copenhagen has a date. We will continue those discussions, listening carefully to the member states and in close cooperation with the Commission.
AE: When should there be an EU position in view of the Copenhagen negotiations?
CM: The negotiating mandate doesn't have to be ready until Copenhagen, of course, but in time for Copenhagen. We don't have a specific deadline. I don't think it is useful to operate with a very concrete deadline on this. We have to move forward in the summer, in the autumn, but there is no date set for this.
AE: Your Prime Minister reminded us of the importance of defining a strategy to help public finances out of crises. What steps do you think are necessary to achieve the medium-term objectives, namely balancing the public finances?
CM: We are now in the crisis and we don't know if we have reached the bottom of the crisis. But independently of that, we have to start thinking about exit strategies, how to go back to the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and how to put our public finances in order again. Because we know we are only increasing the debt for our children. And therefore we need to discuss on a short and on a long term basis, but also in the light of the new Lisbon strategy.
AE: So because of the crisis, EU Member states are not abiding to the Pact right now?
CM: We have all agreed that we need to be more flexible for the time being. And I think no member states fulfil the criteria and all candidates have debts and public deficits because of the crisis. We must also think of an exit strategy to get out of that, because it's extremely damaging for the future if we can't restore sound public finances. And all countries agree to that. It's just a timetable issue and how we move forward.
AE: The euro has been referred to as a buffer or shield against the current economic crisis. Do you share this analysis? Does it make you consider a possible accession to the euro zone for your country?
CM: Well I can only see that support for the euro has increased in my country, if you look at the polls. I publicly would welcome us joining (Ed: the euro area). But we do not have any plan for raising the issue during this mandate of the government which comes to an end in 2010. So it might be a question for the future, but public support is rising and I think the euro has a stabilising effect in this painful crisis.
AE: The Swedish presidency gives you the opportunity to come back to the European parliament. Does this bring back good or bad memories?
CM: I have only good memories from the European Parliament. It was seven fantastic years. It will be a little bit odd to be in the Council's feet of course, but I am very much looking forward to coming back.
AE: What is your view of the campaign, and the results, of the European elections?
CM: It varies very much between the countries and I deplore very much that we still have a very low participation generally in most countries. We, politicians, must really try to involve European issues much more in daily politics. In Sweden we broke that trend and participation raised with 7 percentage points. We have also seen that lots of the media and the civil society were very engaged in the campaign, which is a good thing. So I think we may have found something there in Sweden, but we still need to move forward, because of course 46% of participation in Sweden is absolutely not enough.
AE: In spite of the gains made by anti-EU (those arguing to preserve sovereign independence of Member States against the Union), eurosceptics and the far right in some countries (such as the UK and Netherlands), the elections as a whole were a serious setback to the “No to Lisbon” camp and to those arguing against ongoing European integration. Is this going to encourage the Swedish presidency to accelerate the preparations to implement the Lisbon Treaty provisions as soon as it is ratified?
CM: Yes of course. If there is a “Yes” to the Lisbon treaty during our presidency we will do whatever we can to implement it. Some things can be done quite quickly but of course other things will take a little time and we are in close contact with the future Spanish presidency in order to guarantee a smoothly transition. It is our absolute objective to do this as smoothly possible. We have to wait for the outcome of the referendum first and there are still two presidents who have to sign it, so we are not there yet. And I am very happy that the “No” parties in Sweden lost ground and it clearly shows that Swedes are becoming more and more Euro-positive. This is a very good thing and it gives us strength for our presidency.
AE: Would you be interested in a position in the next Commission?
CM: No I am not a candidate for anything and I have a very good job as it is. I will be extremely busy for the coming months so, no: I am not running for that.
Managing the economic crisis and brokering an agreement
on the climate in Copenhagen
Economic crisis and new Lisbon strategy. The situation is still "extremely serious", said Ms Malmström: "we will witness quite high levels of unemployment in all of the Member States, this autumn and this winter", and public finances are under pressure. We must restore confidence in the financial centres and implement the decisions of the European Council on the monitoring of the financial markets. The Swedish minister stressed the importance of "coordinating our position in the fight against unemployment and exclusion". Attention must also be paid to longer-term measures, the Swedish Presidency stresses. The Lisbon Strategy is coming to an end, and the Swedish Presidency will make preparations for a new strategy (with, for example, fewer but more targeted objectives). The new Lisbon strategy is likely to be adopted in March 2010, under Spanish Presidency.
Fighting climate change. "We will do our utmost to do whatever we can to reach a conclusion in Copenhagen, a global deal post-Kyoto to reduce CO2 emissions", said Cecilia Malmström. She laid emphasis on the importance of the EU's continuing to speak with a single voice, despite the problems contained within this extremely important and highly complex dossier. The mandate has yet to be specified and solutions have yet to be found regarding the financial issues.
Studies carried out by McKinsey show that greenhouse gas emissions could be cut by 40% between now and 2030, at a cost of less than 1% of global GDP. "The cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of action", the Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, warned in mid-June. The Prime Minister is well aware that many of the developing countries will really struggle to make the initial investments. The EU has declared its willingness to help these countries in the framework of an agreement reached at Copenhagen. Efforts are needed on the part of all countries in order to reduce global warming by at least 2°C. The EU has pledged to bring down its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. This effort will be increased to 30% if an international agreement can be clinched in Copenhagen.
The EU's strategy for the Baltic Sea. The Commission's proposal will be discussed at a ministerial conference to be held in September, and the strategy will be examined by the Council. The aim is to adopt the strategy at the European Council of October. One of the major challenges relates to pollution in and around the Baltic Sea and the exhaustion of its fish resources. For example, the strategy should make it possible to ban the use of detergents containing phosphates, to reduce the harmful effects of fertilisers and to bring in more effective controls on fishing. The other challenge is to make use of the full growth potential of the region, by: - earmarking greater investments in research, innovation and entrepreneurship; - facilitating the activities of small businesses; - removing trade barriers. "The market for energy, infrastructure and transport systems must be developed jointly", states the Swedish Presidency, which also recommends greater investment in cutting-edge technologies and electronic communications. Another problem to be resolved is that of cross-border crime. Improved cooperation to fight trafficking in human beings and other forms of organised crime is vital to increase levels of security in the region. In addition, security in the Baltic Sea region could be improved by putting in place maritime surveillance.
Continuation of enlargement. The continuation of the enlargement process is of strategic importance in order to "guarantee peace and progress in an open and united Europe", according to the programme of the Swedish Presidency. Without suggesting any let-up in the requirements inherent in accession to the EU, the Presidency will work to ensure that negotiations between Croatia and the EU can reach their final phase over the autumn. The Presidency hopes to see progress in accession negotiations with Turkey. The resolution of the Cypriot issue would constitute "a major contribution" in bringing Turkey closer to the EU. The Presidency hopes that the prospect of accession will become a reality for the potential applicant countries from the Western Balkans.
… and of the neighbourhood policy. Work will continue over the next six months to develop the European Neighbourhood Policy. Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of the Eastern Partnership. The objective is also to extend cooperation with the neighbourhood countries of the Mediterranean region, particularly in the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean. At a global level, the Presidency will take note of the new context favouring in-depth transatlantic dialogue. It is important for the EU further to reinforce its commitment to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The EU's role in the Middle East must be developed. Having a capacity for crisis management in Africa is also a priority of the Swedish Presidency. Reinforcing the capacity of the developing countries to manage climate change and reinforcing the EU's support for democracy building in external relations are important issues in the field of external relations, the Presidency believes. It is also in favour of a rapid agreement at the WTO on the liberalisation of trade (Doha Round). Summits will be held with South Africa, Brazil, China, the United States, India, Russia and Ukraine.
Focus on adoption of Stockholm programme and
common asylum system
Sweden hopes that the Stockholm programme, which will encapsulate the Union's actions on the issues of citizenship, justice, security, asylum and immigration for the next five years, will be adopted by the European Council of 10 and 11 December this year. It will be the main subject of the informal meeting of the European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, to be held in Stockholm from 15 to 17 July. The other priority of the Swedish Presidency in the field of asylum and migration will be the common European asylum system. "We want to have a broad, ambitious and forward-looking Stockholm programme", Tobias Billström, the Swedish Minister with responsibility for migration and asylum policy, told EUROPE.
Amongst other things, Sweden also intends, within the framework of this programme, to stress legal immigration issues, because Europe is faced with a declining population and already needs to recruit from outside the EU. The new Swedish law on employment immigration entered into force six months ago. This needs-based system is unique in Europe. If Swedish employers cannot find the staff they need with the required qualifications in Sweden and the other countries of the European Union, they may recruit from third countries. The system is reported to be working well. It has enabled the recruitment of staff in the cutting-edge technology fields (mainly Indians and Chinese) and in the construction sector (Ukrainians, for example). Finland has considered a similar reform, but put it on hold due to the economic and financial crisis. "Our intention is not push this legislation on other European States, but rather to show them that there is a way for a demand-driven system for legal immigration", explained Tobias Billström.
The "central pillar" of the Stockholm programme remains the "European pact on immigration and asylum", which was adopted by the EU under French Presidency. The Swedish Minister voices particular satisfaction with two major themes of this European pact: -1) the need to institute a common asylum system in Europe and to create not only greater solidarity between Member States, but also to bring in procedures offering greater legal security to asylum seekers; - 2) and the need to make a connection between immigration and development issues. "If we look at the situation in the Mediterranean, it is obvious that if you don't create coherent policy in European Union, covering migration, development and foreign policy, there is no possibility of trying to solve problems", the Swedish Minister stressed.
Early in June, the European Home Affairs Ministers gave a lukewarm welcome to the emergency solutions put forward by the Commission to resolve the problems faced by the countries of southern Europe (Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Spain and Greece), which are particularly hard hit by growing immigration problems. Amongst other things, it proposed a voluntary reallocation mechanism within the countries of the EU, for persons placed under international protection. Mr Billström met this idea with some scepticism. He takes the view that a system of this kind runs the risk of increasing the number of immigrants. He would rather see "long-term" solutions, including: - improved cooperation with the countries of origin and/or transit (such as Libya); - a connection to be made between migration and development issues; - and an analysis of events in the Western part of the Mediterranean (the number of people travelling from Africa to the Canary Islands has fallen considerably. The Swedish Minister suggested it might be worth drawing inspiration from what was done between Spain and Morocco, Senegal and Mali to resolve the current problems in the Mediterranean.
Mr Billström does not appreciate the suggestion that much of the reason that the request for European solidarity has not come to fruition lies in the fact that countries of northern Europe are disinclined to help the countries of the South. "Why is it that Sweden gave asylum to 60% of the Iraqis who came to Europe, while at the same time Greece only gave asylum to less than 1% of them?". The problem is that there are too many differences in Europe, it is not just a question of distributing people who arrive in Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus, the Swedish Minister added.
Do you approve of Italy's systematic returning of migrants from Libya? It is "vital to the credibility of our system that we seek to do things in accordance with international law", the Swedish Minister replied. He did, however, admit that the Italian situation is a particularly complicated one. "I look forward to hearing what the Commission has to say on this subject", the Swedish Minister commented. "It would be imprudent of me as an incoming Presidency to try to take away from the Commission its responsibility as upholder of the conventions on asylum", the Minister stressed. "I feel that the Commission should tell us what it is thinking before the Council takes action".
Sweden also takes the view that the Commission's idea to create a European visa system is a good one. But this must be for the long run, because it is essential to ensure beforehand that the VIS (visa information system) is up and running. The objective is to ensure that it is by the end of the year.
Tobias Billström said he was "certain" that the common asylum system could be launched by 2012. Practically all of the legislation will be concluded by the end of 2010, he predicts. He acknowledged, however, that debates on the proposed directive on the conditions for the hosting of asylum seekers are extremely complex and tricky. Discussions must be held on how to interpret certain provisions on social issues, "slightly delicate" topics within the EU. But the Minister has high hopes that "we will move the dossier forward. It depends also on the debate in other countries where the present economic situation complicates things".
The other priorities of the Presidency in the field of asylum and immigration include: - the creation of an asylum support office (the European Parliament is to take position on this proposal at the end of May, at first reading; - and the directive on the single permit.
Kicking off the all-important debate on revision
of EU budget
In May 2006, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission agreed that the Commission should undertake a fundamental review of the EU budget. The Commission was invited "to undertake a full, wide ranging review covering all aspects of EU spending, including the CAP, and of resources, including the UK rebate, to report in 2008/9". This gives the Commission until the end of 2009 to present this report. However, the Swedish government is urging the Commission to present the document as quickly as possible and Cecilia Malmström, the Minister for European Affairs, is extremely active on the dossier. But the Commission has so far remained somewhat evasive about its timetable.
In all likelihood, the Commission will finish its job around about the end of the year, in November or December. The forthcoming Swedish Presidency is ready to start the debate, but it will certainly not be able to finish it. Sweden is planning, therefore, to convene working groups of the Council for a technical analysis as soon as it is in receipt of the Commission's report, to carry out a technical analysis and to arrange discussions at COREPER (Committee of the Representatives of the Member States of the EU) and General Affairs Council level. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that December's European Council will be able to adopt conclusions on budgetary revision, in the form of a timetable on the work to be continued under the Spanish presidency (1 January to 31 June 2010), for example.
An important reminder: this EU budgetary revision exercise has nothing to do with the negotiations, to take place later, on: - the new multi-annual financial framework period due to start in 2014; the overall level of expenditure and detailed ventilation of the Community budget. The revision is designed to allow an analysis of "the structure and orientation of the future priorities of the European Union on its expenditure", the Commission explains. Re-examination will also focus on the functioning of the budget and the right balance to be struck between the need to keep a level of continuity on the one hand and the requirement to be able to respond to new challenges on the other. Lastly, re-examination will stipulate the resources required for the funding of Community policies.
Sweden wants a reformed and modernised budget. Sweden intends to remain neutral in its possession as the country holding the Presidency of the Council, even though it holds an offensive position on the budget of the EU. It will have to stay firm, as Swedish public opinion is extremely sensitive on the subject of the money the country pays into the budget of the EU.
Sweden would like to see a reprioritisation, so that money is no longer concentrated on traditional expenditure (Common agriculture policy and structural actions), but instead on: - (1) areas which can help to reinforce the competitiveness of the EU (research and development, education, strategic investments in infrastructures…); (2) justice and home affairs (in which fields actions have a genuine added value); (3) the external actions of the EU (helping to increase the importance of the EU in the world); and (4) the environment and the fight against climate change (even so, Sweden is not entirely convinced that these are areas calling for Community funds, favouring instead increased levels of cooperation and coordination).
On the first pillar of the CAP, Sweden recommends a phasing out of direct aid and the removal of price support systems (export refunds, intervention). The country is not, however, calling for a major increase in funding to the second pillar, rural development, in exchange. As rural development measures have an impact first and foremost at local and regional level, Sweden questions whether rural development should remain a major Community policy area.
On cohesion policy, Sweden recommends that funds go solely to the new Member States.
The Swedish government stresses the importance of also bringing sound financial management and the effectiveness of expenditure programmes and control procedures into the debate on the budget review.
Fairer contribution to the EU budget. Sweden is one of the largest net contributors (countries whose contribution to the budget exceeds the sum they get back out of it), along with Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Austria. Sweden feels that it is important for the review to cover revenue as well as expenditure. But Stockholm is also very much of the opinion that there should be a fairer contribution of the Member States to the budget of the EU. Otherwise, the various corrective mechanisms to be kept in place are: the British rebate, lump-sum payments to the Netherlands and Sweden, reduced rates of value-added tax (VAT) for the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and Austria. In reforming the expenditure plank of the budget, Sweden hopes by the same stroke to institute a fairer burden share. Lastly, Sweden would be in favour of getting rid of the VAT-based resource. Today, the principal source of funding for the Community budget is contribution based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Member States. This far outstrips the other sources, such as customs duty and agricultural levies ("traditional own resources") and the VAT-based resource. In 1988, the GDP resource represented less than 11% of Community funding, compared with 28% from customs duty and agricultural levies and 57% from VAT-based resources. In 2013, the GDP resource will account for 74% of Community funding, as against 13% from customs duty and agricultural levies and 12% from the VAT-based resource.
Timetable of the Swedish Presidency of
the Council of the EU
July
1: Visit of the European Commission to Stockholm
6-9: Informal meeting of Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers, to be held in Jönköping
6: Eurogroup
7: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
10: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget)
13 and 14: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
15-17: Informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, to be held in Stockholm
20-21: Informal meeting of Directors General for European Affairs
23-24: Informal meeting of Energy Ministers, to be held in Are
24-25: Informal meeting of Environment Ministers, to be held in Are
27/28: General Affairs and External Relations Council
September
3: Meeting of Commission high-level group on equal opportunities
4-5: Informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Ministers ("Gymnich"), to be held in Stockholm
7-8-9: High-level meeting on biodiversity post 2010
7-8: Informal meeting of SCIFA on common European asylum policy
13-15: Informal meeting of Agriculture and Fishery Ministers, to be held in Växjö
14 and 15: High-level conference on cities and action plan to fight climate change
14 and 15: General Affairs and External Relations Council
17 and 18: Meeting on the Baltic Sea Strategy of the EU
21 and 22: Justice and Home Affairs Council
25 and 26: Informal meeting of Education Ministers (Gothenburg)
24 and 25: Competitiveness Council
28 and 29: Informal meeting of European Defence Ministers, to be held in Gothenburg
October (during this month, the formal sessions of the Council will take place in Luxembourg)
1 and 2: Informal meeting of Economy and Finance Ministers, to be held in Gothenburg
8-9: Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council
14-16: Informal meeting of European Competitiveness Ministers, to be held in Umeå
19 and 20: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
19 and 20: Conference: Global EU action against trafficking in human being
19: Eurogroup
20: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
22-24: European Development Days
23: Environment Council
23: Justice and Home Affairs Council
26 and 27: General Affairs and External Relations Council
27: High-level conference on Labour market inclusion
29 and 30: European Council (Brussels)
November
9: Eurogroup
10: Ecofin Council
16 and 17: General Affairs and External Relations Council (also to be attended by Ministers for Defence and Development)
16 and 17: "European Equality Summit"
17 and 18: 5th seminar on combating international vehicle theft
18-20: Informal meeting of Ministers for Online Administration, to be held in Malmö
19: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget )
19 and 20: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
20: Conference on Social Dialogue
23 and 24: Meeting of the European Judicial Network
23 and 24: Conference on climate change-adjusted food, to be held in Lund
26 and 27: Education, Youth and Culture Council
26 and 27: Seminar on the forms of cooperation under the Naples II Convention
26: Conference on green public procurement
30: Justice and Home Affairs Council
December
1: Justice and Home Affairs Council
1: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council
1: Eurogroup
2: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
3 and 4: Competitiveness Council
7: Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy)
7 and 8: General Affairs and External Relations Council
7-18: United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Copenhagen
10 and 11: European Council (Brussels)
14 and 15: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
15 and 16: Conference on the integration of new immigrants ("Incentives and Work in Focus")
17 and 18: Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport and Telecommunications)
22: Environment Council
Sweden comes to Belgium
To mark its Presidency of the EU, Sweden wanted to make a bit of the splash in Brussels and in other cities of Belgium. A veritable smorgasbord of Swedish festivals awaits us in the second half of 2009, kicking off with a dazzling lighting display by Anna Berglund in the Justus Lipsius building, coloured crystal chandeliers which will take over from the controversial montages of the Czech Presidency. However, there will also be a focus on music, with plenty of jazz, a recital by Anne Sofie von Otter and more contemporary rhythms. Cinema and a large number of exhibitions finish off the cultural agenda.
01/07-30/12: Lighting display in the Council
2 July: Concert featuring Judy Linka and Bobo Stenson (Jazz), Théâtre Molière
3 July: Swedish evening as part of the film festival, Flagey
3 July: Concert featuring Sofia Jannok and Wendy McNeill (folk), open air theatre Laeken
3 July: Swedish DJ in the café Belga, Flagey
11 July: Concert by Lena Willemark
28 August: Concert by Tolvan Big Band (jazz) as part of the Klarafestival (Flagey)
31 August: Concert by the Wildbirds and Peacedrums (jazz-punk-pop) as part of the Klarafestival
3 September: Concert by the Jan Lundgren trio (jazz) as part of the Karafestival (Flagey)
8 September: "Climate and Employment: Local Perspectives" conference
8 September: Concert by the Swedish radio choir in the Ravenstein Gallery and at Flagey
9 September: Conference by the Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt on climate and employment
9 September: Concert Salonen - Gergiev at Bozar
10 September: Verdi's Requiem at Bozar
10/09-25/10: Visual Voltage exhibition (Design Vlaanderen, rue de la Chancellerie, Brussels)
11 September: Stravinsky concert at Bozar
11 September: Bobo Stenson trio as part of Klarafestival (Flagey)
12/09-10/10: Exhibition by the ceramicist Eva Hild (Puls Gallery, Place du Chatelain, Ixelles)
13 September: Eva Hild conference
15 September: Recital by Anne Sofie von Otter (Bach and Handel) at the Ghent Opera House
25 September: Concert by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, featuring soloist Anna Larsson (Beethoven, Nielsen, Mahler) at Bozar
25 September: Conference by Front (group of 4 designers) at Flagey
29 September: Conference on sustainable fashion at Modemuseum, Antwerp
9 October: Swedish silent films at the Cinémathèque
04/11-10/12: Exhibition of Swedish photography
09-15/11: Focus'89 Festival: selection of films followed by debates on Europe's evolution since the fall of the Berlin Wall (programme available at http://www.eunic-bruxxels.eu ) at Flagey
10-11-12: Photo exhibition "What Is Swedish?", in Ghent, Liège and Brussels
10/12-10/01: Ingegerd Raman exhibition
For more information, see: http://www.swedenabroad.com/bryssel
The Swedish government and contacts
Prime Minister: Fredrik Reinfeldt
Contact: Roberta Alenius, press secretary
+46 8 405 49 04
+46 70 270 72 17 (mobile)
Minister for European Affairs: Cecilia Malmström
Contact: Elin Boberg, press secretary
+46 8 405 18 79
+46 70 3084406 (mobile)
Foreign Affairs Minister: Carl Bildt
Contact: Cecilia Julin, Head of Press, Information and Communication Department
+46 8 405 57 25
+46 70 867 39 94 (mobile)
Minister for Trade: Ewa Björling
Contact: Monica Ohlsson, press secretary
+46 8 405 37 11
+46 70 296 18 99
Minister for International Development Cooperation: Gunilla Carlsson
Contact: Peter Larsson, press secretary
+46 8 405 59 39
+46 70 283 95 97
Defence Minister: Sten Tolgfors
Finance Minister: Anders Borg
Contact: Anna Charlotta Johansson, press secretary
+46 8 405 12 76
+46 70 356 30 32 (mobile)
Minister for Local Government and Financial Markets: Mats Odell
Contact: Mia Widell, press secretary
+46 8 405 17 21
+46 70 353 49 66
Minister for Agriculture: Eskil Erlandsson
Contact: Therese Bengtsson, press secretary
+46 8 405 11 88
+46 70 519 01 59
Minister for the Environment: Andreas Carlgren
Contact: Mattias Johansson, press secretary
+46 8 405 22 69
+46 70 950 22 45 (mobile)
Justice Minister: Beatrice Ask
Contact: Martin Valfridsson, press secretary
+46 8 405 47 22
+46 70 274 10 22 (mobile)
Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy: Tobias Billström
Contact: Markus Friberg, press secretary
+46 8 405 57 96
+46 702 61 30 84
Minister for Integration and Gender Equality: Nyamko Sabuni
Contact: Yoav Bartal, press secretary
+46 8 405 12 90
+46 70 357 51 94
Minister for Health and Social Affairs: Göran Hägglund
Contact: Petra Kjellarson, press secretary
+46 8 405 39 06
+46 70 646 21 12
Minister for Social Security: Cristina Husmark Pehrsson
Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health: Maria Larsson
Contact: Niclas Thorselius, press secretary
+46 8 405 50 65
+46 70 509 50 65
Minister for Employment: Sven Otto Littorin
Contact: Karolin A Johansson, press secretary
+46 8 405 22 11
+46 76 116 97 59
Minister for Education: Jan Björklund
Contact: Anders Andrén, Head of Press
+46 8 405 28 15
+46 76 133 99 40
Minister for Higher Education and Research: Tobias Krantz
Contact: Eva-Marie Byberg, press secretary
+46 8 405 38 77
+46 70 772 74 47
Minister for Culture: Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth
Contact: Cecilia Jehler, press secretary
+46 8 405 35 12
+46 70 358 77 91
Minister for Enterprise and Energy, Deputy Prime Minister: Maud Olofsson
Contact: Frank Nilsson, press secretary
+46 8 405 24 33
+46 70 690 24 33
Minister for Communications: Åsa Torstensson
Kenneth Hultgren, press secretary
+46 8 405 48 17
+46 70 593 08 77
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