URL: Latest posts
Happy New Year and Good Luck Spain
The year is coming to its end and so is the Swedish Presidency. It has been a fantastic year with so much fun, hard work and a lot of results. It has really been a privilege to be able to move the European agenda forward for six months. Apart for som...
Post-Copenhagen
It is no secret that we would have wished for a better deal in Copenhagen. The deal the world finally could agree on will not solve the climate issue. There was a lack of political will from some parts and with the current structure of the climate co...
Serbian EU application – a milestone for Europe
This afternoon, Serbian President Boris Tadic will visit Stockholm to hand over the country’s application for membership in the European Union. This makes it an important day, and actually a milestone in history for both Serbia and the EU. Just...
Goodbye Strasbourg – for now
One important part of the presidency has been the contacts with the European Parliament and its members. It has mainly been my task as EU-minister, but all ministers ave been in Brussels and Strasbourg to meet with MEPs and participate in debates. Pr...
Foreign policy marathon in Strasbourg
Last session in the European Parliament during this presidency. This time around, it’s two marathon days with a strong focus on foreign policy. Parliament has asked for debates on the Middle East, Congo, Belarus, Georgia, Afghanistan and Pakistan,...
We have taken on the challenge
The end of the Swedish Presidency is approaching, and Prime Minister Reinfeldt is attending the European Parliament’s session today to sum up the past months. The outcome of the climate negotiations in Copenhagen is still uncertain, but nevertheles...
Countdown
The Swedish Presidency of the EU is rapidly approaching its end. We have worked intensively and made progress in a lot of important questions, but it is still to early to evaluate, sum up and relax. The climate negotiations is entering its final week...
Jobs, crime and climate at European Council
All 27 Heads of State and Government will gather tonight and tomorrow in Brussels for the European Council. Discussions on how to create conditions for new jobs in Europe will on top of the agenda. A new ”EU2020 strategy” is planned to follow on...
A Green light In Malmö
At this moment I am on my way to Malmö to participate in the Green Light Days. This event, where green lamps will be lightning up the central parts of Malmö, is taking place on 8-9 December and is focusing on climate change. The idea behind Green L...
Climate talks
The climate conference in Copenhagen has started Negotiations will be going on this week and next in different formations in order to make progress in the different issues we strive to come to an agreement on, such as emission reductions and financin...
Enlargement, disaster management and Santa Lucia buns
Later today, I will be chairing the last meeting of the General Affairs Council during this presidency. As the Copenhagen climate summit has just started, today’s meeting will also serve as an opportunity for possible small adjustments to the Union...
Three supervisory authorities for the Financial market
The exit of the current crisis and the avoidance of future financial crises, together with the climate issue, was our presidency’s main priorities. Therefore, I am glad to hear that Finance Minister Anders Borg yesterday made Member States agre...
A more effective and democratic Union
Finally, it’s Lisbon Day. Just a few hours ago, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force. The process initiated by the European Council in December 2001 has now finally resulted in a clear and comprehensive set of rules, which will be governing the Eur...
Deplorable result in Swiss referendum
Yesterday, about 57 % of the Swiss voted in favour of a ban on building more minarets in their country. In my view, the result of the referendum will send a negative signal to everyone working for freedom of religion, inter-religious dialougue and in...
New Commission presented
Earlier today, Commission President José Manuel Barroso presented the distribution of responsibilities in the new Commission. You will find the list here For my part, Mr. Barroso has proposed the Home Affairs portfolio, which is to include police co...
27 Commissioners nominated
With Neelie Kroes (NL), Connie Hedegaard (DK) and John Dalli (MT) on Tuesday being nominated to the Commission, Mr. Barroso will now be able to start his distribution of portfolios. The Commission will then be up for the approval of the European Parl...
Human Rights discussions in Strasbourg
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The Swedish delegation room is crowded today, as no less than seven Ministers are present. Parliament is becoming increasingly important, in particular as the Lisbon Treaty will shortly enter into force. This...
The upcoming week of the Swedish Presidency
The meeting of the European Parliament, starting today, dominates our work in the EU this week. Seven Swedish ministers will be in Strasbourg to participate in debates and answer questions on climate, enlargement, the Stockholm Programme, men’s vio...
A succesful dinner!
Yesterday the heads of state and government agreed on the appointments of the first President of the European Council and the High Representative. Herman Van Rompuy has succeeded in forming and unite a government in Belgium. This is an experience tha...
