At a meeting of the EESC held in Stockholm on 15 December, the Swedish State Secretary for EU Affairs Christian Danielsson outlined the political direction of the upcoming Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which has asked the EESC to provide input on six key issues.

Support for Ukraine and a focus on the EU's green transition and competitiveness would be among the watchwords of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January-June 2023, the EESC heard.

At a meeting of the bureau, the EESC's steering body, held in Stockholm on 15 November 2022, EESC president Christa Schweng emphasised that, with all the challenges ahead, the EU could only be successful by constantly involving European civil society organisations.

"Given the gloomy economic outlook for Europe, we need to set correct and clear priorities", she said. "Ensuring recovery and supporting businesses and people confronted with high inflation and especially high energy prices is of key importance for our economies, our societies, and our democracies."

Christian Danielsson, Swedish Secretary of State under the Ministry for EU Affairs, said: "We should not shy away from the fact that priorities are important, but the major task of the presidency will be the presidency itself: to move work forward and achieve results which are good for the citizens, the Member States and Europe. We will put enormous effort into it."

Mr Danielsson stressed that the Swedish Presidency would continue to help Ukraine with humanitarian assistance, as well as support for Ukraine's path towards the EU, and focus on improving the performance and competitiveness of the EU economy.

More specifically, the Swedish presidency would focus on:

• speeding up the climate transition
• strengthening the EU's competitiveness for the jobs of the future
• safeguarding the EU's fundamental values
• providing security for EU citizens and strengthening the EU's role in the world
• combating organised crime

The Swedish presidency has asked the EESC to provide its input and expert advice on the following topics, in the shape of "exploratory opinions":

• The Single Market at 30 – how to further improve the functioning of the Single Market
• The transition to a long-term sustainable transport system
• Young people's role in the green transition
• The advantages of modern industrial wooden construction
• Further enhancing the EU's digital competitiveness
• Competence and skills development in a context of the green and digital transition

More information can be found on the EESC's latest brochure "The EESC's activities during the Swedish presidency" available on our website. The brochure has been published in English, Swedish, French and German. (mp/dm)