The EU, its neighbourhood and the world

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The EU, its neighbourhood and the world

The EU was established to ensure peace and economic development in Europe. The Union is also increasingly shouldering its responsibility to promote peace, stability and development in our region and around the world. The EU is becoming an ever stronger global voice through dialogue, negotiations and incentives.

Work programme for the Swedish Presidency of the EU

The EU’s global role

The Presidency will continue to work to strengthen the EU as a global actor with a clear agenda for peace, development, democracy and human rights. We want to develop the EU’s capacity to act during international crises and strengthen cooperation with important partners. We want to help ensure coherence between common foreign and security policy initiatives and the trade and development policy initiatives.

Relations with the EU’s neighbours are very important. Work is therefore continuing on the development of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Particular focus will be placed on the implementation of the Eastern Partnership. The intention is also to work for closer cooperation with our neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean region, for example within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean.

On the global stage, the Presidency will make use of the new prospects for deeper transatlantic dialogue. It is important that the EU further strengthens its commitment vis-à-vis Afghanistan and Pakistan. The EU’s role as an actor in the Middle East needs to be developed. We must be prepared to handle crises in Africa.

Strengthening the ability of developing countries to deal with climate change and strengthening the EU’s support for democracy-building in external relations are important issues that must be moved forward.

In addition, the Presidency will give priority to trade negotiations, primarily a rapid conclusion of the Doha Round, but also progress in free trade negotiations.

Summits are planned with a number of important partners during the Presidency: Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and the USA.

Continued enlargement

The continued enlargement process is of strategic importance to ensure peace and progress in an open, united Europe. It is therefore of central importance that the EU stands by its commitments and the established principles in the area of enlargement. The pace of the EU integration process will be determined by the progress of reform in each country. Croatia’s negotiations with the EU could enter a final stage during the autumn. The Presidency is aiming for continued progress in Turkey’s accession negotiations. A solution to the Cyprus issue would greatly spur the Turkey’s EU integration process. The Presidency will also work to make further progress in the EU integration process of the countries of the Western Balkans, in accordance with the progress of reform in each country and established procedures.