Per Tervahauta works with business issues at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU in Brussels. During the Swedish Presidency, he is leading the work of the Council Working Party on Competitiveness and Growth. One important job during the autumn will be to discuss the priorities of the future EU strategy for growth and jobs – the successor to the Lisbon Strategy.

What is it like to be Chair of a Working Party?

- On a personal level, it is very exciting to go from the role of being one of 27 Member States, representing national interests, to holding the Presidency of the entire EU. Instead of speaking on behalf of and seeking support for our national interests, I now try to find compromises and move negotiations forward. As Chair, you have great control over the flow of information and have a completely different grasp of what is going on. Most people approach the Chair to both gain access to and provide information. An ordinary delegate has to work much harder to keep abreast of what is going on behind the scenes.

What is it that makes the EU competitive?

- There is broad consensus in the EU that Europe’s competitiveness should primarily be based on a high level of knowledge and quality rather than low salaries. The EU must be at the forefront when it comes to technological development and innovation, which requires investments in such areas as education, research and development. Framework conditions for companies, such as simple, suitable regulations, are other factors where the internal market plays an important role. The Swedish Presidency wants to particularly emphasise the importance of a sustainable growth that combines increased competitiveness with the fight against climate change, or what we call an eco-efficient economy. We are convinced that this is possible, but to succeed we have to work in an integrated manner in many areas at the same time – to cut across the traditional boundaries between various policy areas.

How do the issues you work with affect the everyday lives of ordinary EU citizens?

- The transition to an eco-efficient economy and investments in such areas as development of new environmental technology will result in more green jobs at the same time as we get a better environment. For small businesses operators, simplifying the rules, for example, means they will be able to devote more time to their core activity rather than to bureaucracy. Productivity and competitiveness will increase through this, and ultimately they may hire more staff and so contribute to reducing unemployment.

What do you think characterises a successful Presidency?

- If the other countries consider that we have moved EU development forward, given the special conditions that currently exist with a new Parliament and an outgoing Commission, and if they feel that we have acted openly and impartially, then in my opinion we have been successful.