EU Swedish Presidency Priorities Outlined

The two main priorities of the Swedish Presidency, which came into force on July 1, echo the current concerns at local government level.

They focus on the current financial crisis and unemployment along with tackling climate change.

The Presidency has outlined its intention to continue the work begun under the leadership of France and the Czech Republic, and has the ambition to work to restore confidence in the financial markets, combat the negative image of the crisis on growth and employment and create long-term solutions for sustainable growth, employment and open markets.

It has also vowed to give priority to action regarding measures on the labour market that limit unemployment, reduce exclusion and return people to work at the same time as the foundation is laid for 'a high level of long-term, sustainable emplyment'.New rules and strengthened supervisory bodies have also been described as necessary and the objective is to create a new supervisory structure which includes the establishment of a European body to supervise stability in the financial system as a whole.

A spokesman added: "At the same time as the EU is dealing with serious economic crisis, the long-term challenges must not be forgotten. The only way we can safeguard our welfare systems in Europe is through high employment levels and sound public finance."

Also top of the list for action during the Swedish Presidency is the aim to get all countries working towards the ambition to reduce climate emissions by 30% by 2020.

Sweden's Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren said: "The EU's 30% bid is our most important lever for getting other countries to undertake comparable emission reductions. As the country holding the Presidency, Sweden will press for other industrial countries and fast-growing economies to do their part. Unless they also make an effort we will not get a strong enough agreement on the climate in Copenhagen."

Last Updated: 03/07/2009 12:31:49 By Katherine Hitchcock