"It is an honour for me to speak before the European Parliament as President of the European Council. We hope that you will support us and cooperate with us. And that you are ready to take on the challenge with us", said Fredrik Reinfeldt at the start of his speech to the European Parliament today, where he presented the Swedish Presidency's work programme.

In his speech to the European Parliament today, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said:

"I speak to you at a time of great challenge. EU cooperation has rarely been faced with more difficult challenges. And of such diversity. In the short term, our ambition is to ensure a smooth transition to a new treaty – the Lisbon Treaty. Now, and looking a little further ahead, we must continue to deal with the financial and economic crisis. And beneath the surface lurks the threat of a growing climate crisis, which in the long term is the greatest of our challenges. One thing is certain. To successfully tackle the many challenges facing the Swedish Presidency, we must work side by side with you – you who work at the centre of European democracy."

Read the entire speech via the link on the right.