Speech by President Séamus Boland on the priorities of the Swedish Presidency

Plenary debate with Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden

Dear Minister,

I would like to begin by thanking you for taking the time to speak to us today, you are very welcome at our plenary.

Sweden has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a time of great geo-political turmoil, as we have just discussed with the President of the European Parliament. This turmoil is similar to that faced by the world in 2001, the year of Sweden's first Presidency. In both of these periods, international cooperation and trust were undermined.

In 2023, the challenge for Sweden will be how to balance crisis management with effective EU legislative management. How to weave together complementary EU responses to complex global challenges, at the same time as maintaining European unity? How to ensure that the EU's response to the energy crisis remains aligned with agreed climate goals, the reduction of poverty and high European standards in democracy, including civic dialogue?

In this context, I have a number of questions that I would like to put to you Madame Minister:

• How can the Swedish government defend the decision to cut back on spending on climate policy by 60%?
• Could you please explain how the Swedish Presidency will emphasise the social dimension of sustainable development, as is indicated in its priorities?

With regard to democracy and civic dialogue:

• As we all know, an autonomous civil society is the corner stone of open democracies and its contribution is crucial at many societal levels. How will the Swedish Presidency ensure meaningful cooperation and the effective participation of civil society, including in the implementation of the official Presidency program?
• How will the Swedish Presidency promote common EU democratic values and the rule of law and what role do you think that human rights organisations could play in this process?

Finally, Madame Minister, I would like to ask how the Swedish Presidency will work towards implementing the conclusions of the Conference of the Future of Europe, given that the trio program of the French, Czech and Swedish Presidencies made commitments to their implementation?

Thank you for your attention.