Economic and financial crisis, disagreement on the climate change issue, institutional insecurity and government crisis in the country holding the Presidency at the time, the Czech Republic. When Sweden took over the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in 2009, the challenges were many. Looking back on a hectic autumn, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt notes that the Swedish Presidency has achieved what it set out to achieve.

“Before we took over, many joked that they were longing for a Swedish Presidency. They expected it to be characterised by order and an ability to drive the process forward. My impression is that we have partly lived up to those expectations”, says Fredrik Reinfeldt.

"Unable to process it all yet"

He says that, looking back on the six months in the EU’s driving seat, he is pleased. Pleased with ‘having achieved what we set out to achieve’ and with getting policies into place.

He himself has many memories from this autumn. What he found the most enjoyable was the opportunity to participate in the international forums in which Sweden is not normally included, such as the G8 and the G20 meetings. The seven summits with countries outside the EU also stand out, as do the intensive days of negotiations during the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
“Those days were an incredible experience and gave an insight into both the world’s ambitions and the world’s flaws. That is one of the things I will take with me. But I have probably not had time to process everything yet. That will probably come when I have had more time for reflection”, says Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Crises eliminated

The Presidency priority issues were mostly about crisis management; economic crisis, climate change crisis and crisis in the EU’s institutional framework. 3 300 meetings, uncountable telephone calls and a number of trips later, the crises have been eliminated. The EU’s financial market has been given a new financial supervisory architecture, the Union has a common mandate on the climate change issue, the Treaty of Lisbon has entered into force and the EU has agreed on two new leaders – a permanent President and a “foreign minister”.
“But it has been a great challenge of a kind that you are not always given in life. Suddenly, your ability in entirely new areas is tested and you are not always certain how it is going to end up. It has been a hectic autumn”, says Fredrik Reinfeldt.

When asked what has been the most difficult issue to handle, Mr Reinfeldt mentions two things: The Treaty of Lisbon and the climate change issue.
“In terms of diplomacy and work, the greatest challenge was the objections against the Lisbon Treaty made by the Czech President. Vaclav Klaus made a last-minute demand which was complicated enough in and by itself but which also created a chain reaction in the neighbouring countries. Some of those witnessing this felt that a hard line had to be taken against him. That made for a lot of things to handle at one and the same time and it could easily have meant a delay. But we succeeded in resolving the issue”, Mr Reinfeldt says.

"The global leadership lacks what the EU has"

“The most difficult policy area to manage has been the issue of climate change. For the simple reason that there is a frustrating element in being able to state that science has proved that humans affect the climate and that we basically have both the economic funds and technological ability to do something about it”, says Fredrik Reinfeldt.

During the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, Mr Reinfeldt led the EU in the negotiations. Earlier in the autumn, the EU heads of state and government were agreed on a joint mandate on the climate change issue, but at the UN conference, the world could not reach an agreement.
“And that is due to the fact that the global political leadership lacks what the EU has: a well-oiled decision-making machine. Also, too many do not take responsibility”, says Mr Reinfeldt and continues:
“Given how much I have worked on this, and how much the democracies pushed for an agreement in Copenhagen, because that was mainly what happened, some progress has been made. The documents we produced does provide a structure for how to resolve this, but the numbers and ambitions are not high enough.”

You can find a summary of the Swedish EU Presidency’s achievements via the link on the right.

The final Council meeting has been concluded and the priority issues have come to a conclusion. It is almost time for Spain to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Below, there is a summary of the results achieved in central policy areas during the Swedish Presidency.

Climate change

The Presidency’s objective was to ensure that the EU continued to take responsibility for combating climate change and to act in unison at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) in December. During the autumn a strong mandate was adopted in the run-up to the Copenhagen negotiations. This mandate included:

• A long-term emissions target: to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 percent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels.
• A short and medium-term emissions target: for the EU to reduce emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020 and by 30 percent if other parties make sufficient reductions of their own.
• Requirement for reduced emissions from international transport: Reductions of 10 percent for aviation and 20 percent for shipping are required by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. The EU believes that charges from aviation and shipping should be used to pay for measures in developing countries, not least in the poorest nations.
• Requirement to stop rainforest destruction: destruction must be halved by 2020 and have ceased completely by 2030. The EU wishes to see decisions made in Copenhagen to stop devastation of the rainforest, support reforestation and promote sustainable forestry.
• An agreement on the EU’s contribution to climate funding: The EU has supported the estimated need for long-term financing of EUR 100 billion per year until 2020. The EU estimates the global need for fast-start financing of EUR 7 billion annually for the years 2010-2012. The EU and its Member States are ready to contribute with EUR 2.4 billion annually.

At the UNFCCC climate conference in Copenhagen (COP 15) a political agreement was reached, which was taken note of by the COP15. The EU had wished for a more ambitious result. The emission reduction commitments are too weak and there is no long term objective for emission reductions. Furthermore it remains open too how a legally binding agreement will be put in place. Among the positive aspects of the agreement are:

• Reference to the 2 degree temperature target,
• Commitments for funding of developing countries' actions with regard to climate change,
• That leading and fast-growing development countries accepted to list commitments for actions and to report them in a transparent manner

Also, the EU and its MS acted in a coordinated manner and pushed for higher ambitions together with several African countries and small island states.

The economic crisis

The Presidency’s aim was to ensure that the EU would emerge stronger from the current economic and financial crisis. During the autumn, we were to deal with the crisis, create better financial markets through improved supervision and regulation, and maintain order in public finances. During the Swedish Presidency the following has among other things been agreed:

• Better and increased financial supervision: Powerful European institutions for financial supervision shall prevent the emergence of new crises and exercise cross-border supervision. A joint European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) is being set up to monitor the stability of the financial system as a whole. Three new supervisory bodies on the micro level are being created at the same time: the European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority.
• End to inappropriate bonus culture: Member States have agreed on new binding European rules governing compensation systems in banks and investment firms. These promote accountability for the long-term healthy and sustainable development. They shall also guard against high-risk behaviours that can threaten the stability of the financial system.
• New European rules on capital adequacy: These rules decrease the possibilities to re-sell risks and make the banks more resilient against losses in hard times. Thereby, they reduce the risk of households and businesses being adversely affected by a shortage of credit supply.
• Finance policy exit strategy: As a result of the establishment of the Gothenburg Principles, a finance policy exit strategy on how to return to healthy public finances and the adoption of Excessive Deficit Procedures (EDP), the Presidency has established a process for the way forward.
• Financial market exit strategy: There are now clear principles for the phasing-out of support measures for the financial markets Through these strategies, healthy banks will be have the right incentive for a return to a competitive market and other banks will have an incentive to come to grips with their shortcomings.
• A new growth strategy for EU in 2020: The Presidency has paved the way for growth efforts over the next decade. The focus of future growth efforts shall be an eco-efficient economy, stronger competitiveness, increased investment in research and education, full employment and high level of labour supply, and long-term sustainable public finances.

The Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December. An extensive amount of work by the Presidency on institutional issues has been put in along the way:

• A new European Commission President: José Manuel Barroso was re-elected as President of the European Commission in September.
• Czech ratification: After the European Council on 29-30 October had given the Czech Republic clarification regarding the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the country’s president, Vaclav Klaus, signed the Czech ratification.
• Key appointments: At an extra informal summit on 19 November, Herman van Rompuy was appointed Permanent President of the European Council for a period of two and a half years. Catherine Ashton was appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for a period of five years.
• Entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty: All preparations could be finalised for the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December.

EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea

The Presidency has had the ambition to adopt a EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea which will lead to a cleaner sea and make the region more economically dynamic:

• Baltic Sea Strategy in place: Despite eight out of the nine Baltic-rim countries being EU Member States, there has been no strategy from the EU on how to increase growth in the region or on how to deal with the environmental threat to the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea Strategy is hence an important instrument in the efforts for a cleaner Baltic Sea and a competitive Baltic Sea region.

The Stockholm Programme

Based on the vision of a safer and more open Europe, in which individual rights are safeguarded, the Presidency’s ambition was to adopt a programme in the area of justice, known as the Stockholm Programme. This programme will guide EU justice, police and migration cooperation over the next five years and highlights interalia:

• Safeguarded integrity: The individual’s integrity and right to privacy are more clearly in the spotlight.
• Greater legal security: Efforts to strengthen legal security for crime suspects and to protect personal data are being intensified.
• Greater cooperation: Cooperation among Member States to jointly combat serious cross-border crime, such as human trafficking and drug smuggling, is being strengthened.
• Asylum system ambition: In the area of migration, a clear position is being adopted on the creation by 2012 of a common asylum system that is both legally secure and efficient.

Enlargement

The continued enlargement process is of strategic importance. The objective of the Presidency was to secure continued progress.

• Agreement between Croatia and Slovenia: The Presidency assisted in the agreement between Croatia and Slovenia on arbitration proceedings for the border dispute between the two countries. Croatia’s accession negotiations are now entering their final stages and the Presidency hopes that on 21 December a number of areas for negotiation can be finalised.
• Turkey’s negotiations are continuing: The review of Turkey’s outstanding obligations with regard to application of the Ankara Protocol went ahead, taking into consideration the sensitive process of negotiation on Cyprus. The Presidency hopes that the environmental chapter for Turkey can be opened on 21 December.
• Applications being assessed: The European Council has decided to consider membership applications from Iceland, Albania and Montenegro when the European Commission presented its opinions. Iceland’s application is likely to be considered at the beginning of the year so that negotiations can get underway during the spring.
• Interim agreement with Serbia: Serbia’s interim agreement with the EU (on trade and trade-related issues) can start to be applied. 
   

The EU as a global actor

The Presidency’s aim was to strengthen the EU as a global actor with a clear agenda for peace, development, democracy and human rights. The ambition was to enhance the EU’s ability to act in times of international crisis, strengthen cooperation with important partners and contribute to collaborative EU initiatives within both foreign and security policy and trade and development policy:

• Seven summits with countries outside the Union: South Africa, Brazil, the United States, India, China, Russia and Ukraine. In many cases, relations between the EU and each of these countries were strengthened. The climate was the main topic in every one of the seven summit meetings aimed at getting these countries up to speed prior to the world climate summit in Copenhagen.
• New European External Action Service (EEAS): The European Council on 29-30 October approved the Presidency’s guidelines on the establishment of a European External Action Service. The report lays the foundation for the proposal to be presented by the High Representative.
• Eastern Partnership to be implemented: Implementation of the Eastern Partnership is underway and progress has been made.
• More detailed strategies on Afghanistan/Pakistan: The Presidency has drafted more detailed EU strategies on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Work to implement the strategies is ongoing.

Other important issues:

Employment and social issues

• Active labour market policies and active social security policies: The Presidency has emphasised the importance of encouraging and supporting people to enter or re-enter the labour market and to gain access to employment. Active labour market policies and active social security policies  will benefit those furthest away  from the labour market, regardless of the state of the economy. Work will continue through the EU’s new strategy for growth and employment.
• Gender equality and growth: The Presidency has highlighted  how gender equality can strengthen growth. This question will be important in the further work on the EU’s new strategy for growth and employment. .
• Self-employed persons: A political agreement was reached on equal treatment of women and men who are self-employed workers/assisting spouses.

Education

• Increased focus on teachers’ importance for European competitiveness: The presidency has raised questions concerning teachers’ and school leaders’ role for the quality in education and for competitiveness in Europe.

Development assistance

• Climate and development: Taking a medium to long-term perspective, development assistance ministers agreed on how development cooperation can incorporate climate change issues and how we can support partner countries in their efforts to reach consensus on how to achieve continued development and manage climate change.
• Development assistance efficiency: An operational framework has been adopted to help the EU live up to international undertakings made in Paris and Accra.

Trade issues

• Free trade agreement between the EU and South Korea: The Presidency has concluded negotiations on the free trade agreement between the EU and South Korea. The agreement will basically remove all customs tariffs and a number of other barriers to trade and investment between the two economies.
• Services directive and package for goods to be introduced on 1 January: Implementation of both these reform packages has been concluded during the Presidency. The services directive and the package for goods will make it easier and less expensive to trade in goods and services on the internal market.

Security policy, defence, civil crisis management

• Common and improved maritime surveillance: The Baltic Sea countries are pooling their various systems for maritime surveillance and recognised maritime pictures, both among agencies within the countries and among the countries themselves. This will enable us to manage civilian shipping, maritime safety, environmental issues and protection against crime and military threats in a better way. This is a model that can be used in other regions in the EU, such as the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea. It is a smart and effective method that requires very low financial resources and that leads to great benefits for the citizens of the EU.
• EU battlegroups given greater flexibility: The prerequisites have been created to be able to use EU battlegroups in a more flexible way outside the rapid response concept, which will enhance the EU’s crisis management capabilities.
• Better civil-military cooperation: The EU’s crisis management capabilities are being strengthened as a result of greater synergy of civil and military resources, directing them towards the same objectives.
• Competition-neutral defence industry: An open and transparent European market for defence equipment with a level playing field is important for developing the European defence industry. This is necessary if the European industry is to compete on the global market. The Member States adopted a declaration on this and the European Defence Agency was given the task of moving forward with the work.

Economic issues

• Less VAT fraud: General guidelines aimed at combating VAT fraud and providing Member States with the opportunity to introduce reverse tax liability for VAT on emission rights. The agreement will help Member States to combat fraud in a more appropriate manner and hence improve the efficiency of the emissions trading market.
• New rules concerning tobacco taxation; the agreement means that member states can improve their prospects of achieving national health targets by increasing the minimum tax on cigarettes, The minimum taxes on cigarettes, cigarillos, and smoking-tobacco will also be increased. This will help reduce tobacco consumption.

Justice and home affairs issues

• Strengthening the rights of crime suspects: For the first time, the EU has made progress regarding the strengthening of the rights of suspects in criminal proceedings. Unsuccessful efforts have been made since 2004. As a first step, ministers agreed on an instrument entitling crime suspects to information and language interpretation. Furthermore, decisions have been taken on how we should try to strengthen legal security over the next five years. This includes aspects such as the right to legal representation.
• More stringent penal law to combat human trafficking: Consensus has been reached on more stringent penal regulations against human trafficking. The concept of human trafficking is being extended to include more cases than today whilst punishments are being increased on the EU level. In addition to this, the EU has agreed on an action-oriented plan for how cooperation with non-EU countries shall be pursued in the fight against human trafficking. The aim is to prevent people falling victim to human trafficking at an early stage.
• Better information exchange for more efficient crime-fighting: A strategy for how to make information exchange among crime-fighting authorities more efficient and legally secure has been adopted. Protection of the individual’s personal data shall be strengthened.
• Visa exemptions: The decision on visa exemptions for fYROM, Montenegro and Serbia sends a strong signal about the EU perspective adopted by each of these countries.
• Support office for asylum issues: Under the guidance of the Swedish Presidency, the Council has reached agreement on the establishment of an asylum support office in Valetta, Malta. The support office is important to ensure the smooth running of the common asylum system.
• The common asylum system: We have made crucial progress in the negotiations on the common asylum system.
• Action plan for non-accompanied children: On a Swedish initiative, the European Commission has tasked the Commission to draft an action plan containing concrete measures to solve the problem of non-accompanied children. Non-accompanied children are a growing problem in many EU countries, not least in Sweden.

Healthcare issues

• Access to active antibiotics: The Presidency has forced the pace on a proposal that involves Member States cooperating to find ways of stimulating the pharmaceutical industry to develop new effective antibiotics. The Presidency has also taken the initiative to establish EU-US cooperation on antibiotics issues.
• eHealth for better patient safety when receiving care in another EU country: To ensure patients receive effective and safe treatment and care in another EU country, the Presidency has pushed for cooperation among Member States on eHealth.
• The pandemic – the A(H1N1) flu virus: An anti-flu strategy was adopted during the Swedish Presidency. The strategy covers access to vaccine, vaccination strategy, the vaccine approval process, information to the general public, global cooperation and contingency planning in sectors other than healthcare. At the ministerial meetings, the Presidency and the European Commission have given status reports on the development of the new swine flu pandemic in the EU and neighbouring countries. Joint Council conclusions have been adopted.
   

Competitiveness and research

• Towards an eco-efficient economy: The Presidency has highlighted the possibilities a transition to an eco-efficient economy offers: how Europe can take a green route out of the economic crisis towards greater competitiveness, improved welfare and new jobs.
• Better rules: The Presidency has intensified the work being done to improve regulation and has managed to get Member States to agree on continued strong efforts within the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament.
• The knowledge triangle shall strengthen European innovativeness: Securing investment in education and research leads to innovations that can provide growth is vital to Europe’s competitiveness. The work has led to the issue now being high up on the EU agenda.
• A more effective administration: Electronic administration contributes to better growth, increased mobility and transparency. Member States have agreed on a ministerial declaration to build a better eUnion in 2015.

An EU patent

• Agreement on a common EU patent: After decades of negotiations, agreement as now been reached on everything apart from the language issue on how a common EU patent should be designed and regulated. The EU patent will promote innovation and provide European industry with a better chance of competing on the global market.

Agriculture and fisheries

• Better fisheries monitoring: The Presidency headed up the negotiations that led to the EU obtaining common regulations on fisheries monitoring. These regulations mean that the consumer can now trace the fish from the net to the table.
• Strengthened animal protection: The presidency has reached a preliminary agreement  with the European Parliament on the substantial issues. The regulation will improve animal protection for laboratory animals in the whole of the EU. Certain technical adaptations remain as a result of the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty.

Telecommunications and transport

• The telecoms package: After two years of negotiations, the Presidency managed to unite the European Council and gain support from the European Parliament on a decision that will lead to better services and protection for users and clearer requirements for information about the services on offer from operators.
• Future EU transport policy: Work has begun during the Swedish Presidency. The focus is on climate-smart and safe transport in Europe and on setting up efficient freight corridors through the EU.

Energy

• Improved energy efficiency: The Presidency has achieved the objective of supplying an ambitious and meaningful energy efficiency package containing three directives. These directives concern the energy labelling of energy-related products, the energy labelling of tyres and revised legislation on the energy performance of buildings.
• Strengthened energy cooperation with the US: The Swedish Presidency has strengthened the energy cooperation between the EU and the US through the establishment of a new Energy Council. 

Environment

• Phase-out of phosphates in detergents: Sweden banned phosphates in detergents on 1 May 2008 and has been pushing for a ban on the European level ever since. The Baltic Sea Strategy contains targets for the phase-out of phosphates from detergents and Sweden has been given the task of coordinating this work. The Presidency has forced the pace on the issue and during the autumn has seen individual Member States and industry take their own initiatives in the issue. The European Commission will shortly propose legislation.
• The Swedish Presidency raised the issue of an eco-efficient economy at three informal ministerial meetings, including the meeting of environment ministers. The EU environment ministers agreed to speed up the transition to an eco-efficient economy for increased welfare and reduced environmental impact. They stressed the importance of economic policy instruments for speeding up this transition and pointed out that an eco-efficient economy promotes both competitiveness and employment.
• The Presidency led the EU during international negotiations on biodiversity. The environment ministers adopted conclusions that contain a number of strategic principles and a long-term vision on the value of ecosystems for the economy. The conclusions are part of the EU’s preparations for the global negotiations under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity during 2010. The EU emphasises that ecosystem services should be fully integrated in community planning and stresses the importance of biodiversity to avoid disastrous environmental changes, such as climate change and ecosystem collapse, and the following impact on supply and economic prosperity.
• Within the framework of the Baltic Sea Strategy, the environment ministers adopted conclusions that the Baltic Sea is to be speedily designated as a pilot project under the Marine Strategy Directive and encouraged the Commission to propose legislation on removing phosphates from detergents.

Herman Van Rompuy was elected permanent President of the European Council at the summit held on 19 November 2009. Less than two weeks later, he took up his post. Here he answers questions on his new role, what he hopes to achieve during his term as President and what issues he will put his energy into.

You were recently elected President of the European Council, a completely new role. What are your ambitions?
I only want to contribute to optimising the European Council's capacity to deliver leadership for the EU. The European Council is the institution that sets the direction for the EU. We must form a group, a circle, that agrees with itself and works for the same cause, the European Union. We must also lay more emphasis on the political decisions that go beyond our traditional conclusions. We must send the public a clear and visible message. We have already worked on that, and we will continue to do so.

What will be the first major issues that you want to address?
I believe the economic issues – how best to coordinate to counter the adverse impact of the crisis on jobs and on public finances, how to plan strategies for the next stage once recovery is secured – will top the agenda of the Heads of State or government for the months to come. Because I think we must attack the major issues systematically and that we need to have the opportunity to discuss them in-depth and in an open way, I intend to convene an informal meeting in February where the economic and social agenda will be the main topic.

But the European Council also has a number of other issues on its table, from the aftermath of Copenhagen to energy challenges, our aspirations for greater security and justice for all our fellow citizens and international issues.

What do you hope to have achieved when the term is ended in two and a half years?
I hope that working with my colleagues we will be able to harness the potential of the European Council as the forum where clear, coordinated leadership for Europe is drawn up. If the EU is to reap the benefits of the Lisbon Treaty – more effective institutions able to deliver concrete results for citizens and to enable Europe to « punch its weight » internationally - the European Council has a key role to play. I will work with the President of the Commission, the President of the European Parliament and the six-monthly presidencies of the Council to that end.

How did you feel when you found out that you had all the European leaders' support and were elected President of the Council? What passed through your mind?
As you know, I have not sought this position. But as it became clear there was unanimous support for my name, I accepted it, and have now taken it up with conviction and enthusiasm. I also found it difficult to relinquish the direction of my country, but I also see the decision as a mark of recognition towards Belgium, which, as a founding State, has dedicated itself constantly to the construction of Europe.

How do you prepare yourself for this new job?
As you can imagine my diary is filling up at a brisk pace… A first priority for me has been to talk to my European Council colleagues. Since 1 December, I have toured Europe to meet a number of them, and I will continue in January. Although I have met them in European Council meetings as Belgian Prime Minister, it was important for me to see them individually and informally and to listen to their views and priorities. I intend to consider everyone’s interest and sensitivities. Our work must deliver results for everyone. I will now take up my position to the full as of 1 January. I want to thank Fredrik Reinfeldt for the good cooperation during the "transition" period and for his effective handling of the entry into force and implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.
 

What has the 2009 Swedish Presidency achieved in the area of justice and home affairs? Minister for Justice Beatrice Ask and Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström highlight some of the most important points below.

The Stockholm Programme, which defines the framework of EU efforts within police and customs cooperation, rescue services, criminal and civil law cooperation, asylum, migration and visa policy for the period 2010-2014, has dominated the Presidency for the two ministers at the Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Ask and Tobias Billström.

“Work on the Stockholm Programme has met with considerable commitment from the Member States. We are pleased that we have achieved the goals we set for the Stockholm Programme. The EU is focusing on the rights and needs of the individual. We are taking vigorous measures against crime. At the same time, we are safeguarding the rights of the individual across a broad spectrum, from migrants’ rights and a legally secure and predictable asylum process to the protection of privacy and support to victims of crime,” say Ms Ask and Mr Billström.

They personally contacted the Member States even before the Presidency. The European Commission then presented its proposal in June. The Programme was discussed at the informal ministerial meeting in Stockholm in July. In September, State Secretaries Magnus G. Graner and Minna Ljunggren at the Ministry of Justice met their colleagues from almost all the Member States to obtain their views on the proposal. 

This has resulted in a Stockholm Programme that is ambitious and practical and that has a better balance between law enforcement and the rights of the individual. The citizen perspective is clear.

“When the Stockholm Programme enters into force, the greatest effect will be that the Member States and the JHA Council will have a clear framework for what they must focus on and will be able to work more effectively. Work against human trafficking will be strengthened. Serious crime will face tougher times. The personal details of individuals will be better protected,” says Ms Ask.

The greatest effect of the programme in the area of asylum and migration is that work on the common European asylum system will continue and that impetus will be given to the development of the EU external dimension. There was already broad consensus on this among the Member States at the informal JHA Council in the summer.

“I am very pleased that we have achieved clear texts on labour immigration and on migration and development,” says Mr Billström.

“We have confirmed the goal of having a common asylum system in place by 2012. The days of the asylum lottery are numbered. Visa exemption for the Western Balkans will mean a great deal for hundreds of thousands of people. From 19 December 2009, citizens from Serbia, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will be able to travel without visas to the Schengen area. I think we should all be proud of this achievement,” concludes Mr Billström.

Five decisions taken in the JHA Council during the Swedish Presidency

• The Stockholm Programme (which defines the framework for EU police and customs cooperation, rescue services, criminal and civil law cooperation, asylum, migration and visa policy for the period 2010-2014).
• Concerted efforts against trafficking in human beings: a more coherent approach from more stringent criminal law to cooperation with non-EU countries.
• Better exchange of information for more effective law enforcement.
• The creation of a European Asylum Support Office, based in Malta’s capital, Valletta.
• Approval of an action plan for unaccompanied minors.

You can find a more extensive list in the document via the link on the right.

At a press conference in Brussels on 21 December, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt summarised the foreign policy issues under the Swedish Presidency. “We have been able to update EU policies in critical areas. The two that have been most noted by the public are Afghanistan and the Middle East”, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said at the press conference.

112 meetings in 135 days with more than 20 000 delegates in over 65 different venues in 26 towns all over Sweden. The Presidency has been a real challenge for the Swedish meetings secretariat and its Head, Mårten Grunditz. Now he looks back on the past six months with both relief and joy.

“The number of meetings and locations, the variables of each meeting and a tight budget have made for a difficult equation. But thanks to good planning, reliable suppliers and competent staff, we have managed to stay the course”, he says.

During his years as Head of the European Union Department at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mårten Grunditz has participated in many EU meetings. But he has never before worked with the logistics behind the meetings.

“If you are a delegate concentrating on the substance of a meeting, it is hard to comprehend how many logistical details that must be in place at a well-functioning international meeting. And the devil is in the details. We have therefore been very careful to preach that everyone working in the field at a meeting has a responsibility both for the whole picture and the details”, says Mr Grunditz.

Many meetings and tight budget

One great challenge has been the number of meetings but also the placement of meetings in locations and at times not controlled by the secretariat. Another challenge has been the financial framework with a budget of SEK 421 million (approx. EUR 40 million).

“Some of our foreign colleagues could hardly believe us when we told them about our budget. But with centralised procurement, scheduling 35 meetings at the same conference facility and with ministerial meetings taking place back-to-back, we seem to have managed”, says Mårten Grunditz.

“The meetings will move the EU’s agenda forward”

The secretariat has received many positive comments from journalists and foreign delegates. The meetings have been perceived as being well organised, pleasant and attractive. Members of the media have appreciated the technology and the transparency, for example in the system of mixed zones which was used at many of the meetings.

Well-oiled machinery and punctual – is there no risk that we are confirming the image of Swedes as boring and predictable?

“Surely, delegates are not attending the meetings in order to party? The meetings are part of a political process. They should move the EU’s agenda forward and add new aspects to it. But with the limited time at our disposal, we have served up glimpses of Sweden as a modern nation, as a culinary nation and as a country with beautiful nature and culture”, he says.

“Planning and risk analysis gave us a sense of security”

The planning began in January 2008. Just before the Presidency took off, the secretariat presented an extensive risk analysis of what could go wrong and drew up proposed measures.

“Fortunately, there have been no major incidents, no vandalism or even loss of personnel due to the new influenza, but it has given us a sense of security knowing that we have plans for all such contingencies and many other things that could go wrong”, says Mårten Grunditz.

The lengthy planning period and the risk analysis gave us great confidence from the very beginning. Staff have been told by some delegates that they look strangely calm.

“This is probably also due to us preaching the importance of at least looking calm and controlled. An organiser running wild-eyed through the corridors hardly inspires confidence”, says Mr Grunditz.

This afternoon, Serbia submitted a formal application for membership of the EU. Serbian President Boris Tadić handed his country’s application for EU membership to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm.

“I welcome this historic step for Serbia. It reflects the Serbian government’s strong determination and the broad popular support for EU membership. A Serbian membership is important not just for Serbia, but for the region as a whole. This is an important addition to the EU family”, said Fredrik Reinfeldt at a press conference.

“An historic day for my country”

“This is an historic day for my country. It is the tenth year of democratic life, ten years after the end of the war, ten years after the end of our isolation. During these ten years, our main goal has been to bring Serbia into the EU. Now we will continue with the reform work in the hope of becoming a full EU member in a few years’ time”, said Boris Tadić.

In spring 2009, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement on free trade was signed between Serbia and the EU. Since then, the coalition government headed by President Tadić has implemented a series of reforms, for example in the area of justice, and improved the technical cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal where several former political leaders are facing trial following the conflict in the region in the 1990’s.

Key country on the Western Balkans

Olli Rehn, European Commissioner responsible for EU enlargement, also attended the press conference. He noted that Serbia has come a long way over the past ten years:
“I speak on the behalf of the entire European Commission when I say that the Commission is looking forward to working with Serbia. Serbia is a key country on the Western Balkans and we can now see that the whole region is moving closer to the EU. This is important from a peace-keeping point of view and to the future of Europe”, said Mr Rehn.

Now several reforms remain to be implemented on the part of Serbia. Meanwhile, the application will be going through the EU application procedure. The first step is the Council of Ministers adopting a position on whether Serbia qualifies as a candidate country and then tasking the European Commission with commencing negotiations with the candidate country. Asked when a full membership can be considered, European Commissioner Olli Rehn answered that it should happen within the next decade.

At the Environment Council in Brussels on 22 December, ministers adopted conclusions on combination effects of chemicals and sent a signal to the Commission that EU legislation needs to be adapted to take this into account. During lunch, the ministers discussed the outcome of the recently concluded Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. They also adopted conclusions on biodiversity beyond 2010 and on regional management of water and the marine environment.

Combination effects of chemicals
The ministers adopted conclusions on combination effects of chemicals. This concerns chemicals which, in combination with other chemicals, can be harmful to public health. Risk assessments for individual chemicals are not a sufficient basis on which to judge combined effects. The Council therefore invite the European Commission to adapt EU legislation to take account of the combined effects of chemicals.

Vision for biodiversity beyond 2010
The Council adopted conclusions on biodiversity beyond 2010. The conclusions established the framework for the EU objective and also emphasise the global perspective for the EU objective. The conclusions provide the EU with a common basis for discussions at the UNEP meeting in Bali in February. Spain plans to adopt a new goal for the EU’s biodiversity in Spring 2010, based on a proposal from the European Commission expected to be presented at the beginning of the year.

How did it go in Copenhagen?
The ministers discussed the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on 7–18 December. Ministers expressed disappointment over the outcome of the meeting in Copenhagen and agreed that the EU should continue to strive for high ambitions and leadership in the work on climate change. The EU's environment ministers will continue to discuss how to continue with the issue at the informal meeting of environment ministers in Seville on 15–17 January 2010.

Management of marine environment
The Council reached agreement on conclusions on regional management of water and the marine environment, including the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The Environment Council’s conclusions mean that EU environment ministers urge the Commission to speedily designate the Baltic Sea as a pilot project for quicker and more stringent measures to improve the marine environment. The Commission will also quickly draft a proposal for an EU-wide ban on phosphates in detergents aimed at reducing eutrophication. 
 
Debate on biocides
The ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for a revised regulation on biocides. Biocides are chemicals, biological preparations or active ingredients that are intended to destroy or control harmful organisms. Examples of biocides are antibiotics, pesticides, disinfectants and preservatives.
 

The Presidency is drawing to a close. Minister for Health and Social Affairs Göran Hägglund and Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health Maria Larsson can look back on six busy months. eHealth, antimicrobial resistance, patient mobility and alcohol and health are some of the issues addressed by the ministers. “Chairing the EU meetings has been an incredible privilege”, says Göran Hägglund. “And I think that we have managed to turn things around by putting focus on the patient rather than having the system as a starting point with patients coming second.

Another issue that the Presidency has had to address is the new influenza.
“It is an issue that we had not quite planned for, but one that many countries have wanted included on the agenda. We have assisted one another in this and I believe that we have addressed the issue successfully”, says Maria Larsson.

Issues in the health field addressed in the autumn:

Antimicrobial resistance

Ministers adopted conclusions on antimicrobial resistance in December. The conclusions include incentives to develop new, effective antibiotics. In the conclusions the Commission is also instructed to return with an action plan for the development of new, effective antibiotics within 24 months.

eHealth

The EU has gone from seeing eHealth as a purely technological issue to discussing instead the use and benefits of various eHealth services to patients and health services. Examples of eHealth include electronic medical records, electronic prescriptions, digital X-ray images and health information directed at citizens via web portals.

Alcohol and health

The Commission has been urged by the ministers to support the work of the EU Member States to reduce alcohol-related harm. Part of the focus is on protecting young people, children and unborn children. The Commission is also urged to present a final report in 2012 on the implementation of the strategy and begin analysing an alcohol strategy that should take over after 2012.

The pharmaceuticals package

The proposals in what is known as the pharmaceuticals package have two main aims; firstly, to prevent counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering the legal market and, secondly, to strengthen the system for pharmacovigilance, which regulates pharmaceuticals after they have been released onto the market. Discussions on this issue will continue during the Spanish Presidency.

Influenza A, the H1N1 pandemic

During autumn, ministers have discussed lessons learnt and future challenges and cooperation. On 12 October, the Presidency called an extra Council meeting on the new influenza A. Member States themselves decide which groups will be prioritised for vaccination, but urged the Commission to develop a mechanism for Member States to make vaccines available to other Member States that do not have sufficient quantities. The EU countries also agreed on developing cooperation on information on the influenza and to continue providing support to countries outside the EU.

Tobacco

The Council has adopted a recommendation that calls on the Member States to use legislation to protect their citizens from tobacco smoke in the workplace, indoor public places and on public transport.

Patients’ rights when seeking healthcare in other EU countries

The ministers were not able to reach a political agreement on the Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. The issue will be discussed further during the Spanish Presidency.

Healthy and dignified ageing

The EU Member States have agreed on increased cooperation for healthy and dignified ageing through the exchange of experience and good practices and other measures. They have also urged the European Commission to undertake a review of ongoing EU work in the area of the elderly, and, if appropriate, to produce an action plan for further measures by 2011 at the latest.

Read more about the decisions in the articles on the right.

On 22 December, the final ministerial meeting of the Swedish EU Presidency is to be held. The environment ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference and adopt conclusions on hazardous combination effects of chemicals and international biodiversity beyond 2010. It is also hoped that the foundation for an EU ban on phosphates in laundry detergents may be put into place. Here, Swedish Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren comments on the meeting.

Read more on the Environment Council meeting via the links on the right.

Statement by the President of the European Council, Prime Minister Reinfeldt:
"The Republic of Serbia has taken a historic step in deciding to apply for membership of the European Union. I Look forward to receiving President Boris Tadić in Stockholm on Tuesday 22 December when he officially hands over the application".

Programme points:

14.30 Arrival of President Tadić at the Prime Minister's office

Ca. 14.40 Handover of Serbia’s application for EU membership, Guest dining rooms, Rosenbad (photo opportunity)

Ca. 15.15 Press conference Place: Bella Venezia, Rosenbad (Prime Minister's office), Stockholm

 Please contact Mrs Roberta Alenius or Mr Markus Nordström for more information.

At the Environment Council in Brussels on 22 December, the ministers are expected to signal to the Commission that EU legislation needs to be adapted to take account of the combination effects of chemicals. The ministers will also discuss the outcome of the climate change conference, which has just concluded in Copenhagen, and adopt conclusions on biodiversity beyond 2010. Chair of the Environment Council is Sweden’s Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren.

Commission urged to consider combination effects of chemicals
The ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on combination effects of chemicals. This concerns chemicals which, in combination with other chemicals, can be harmful to public health. Risk assessments that state the risk for individual chemicals are not sufficient to assess the combination effects, which is why the Council wants to signal to the Commission that EU legislation needs to be adapted to take account of chemicals’ combination effects.

Just before 01.00 on Saturday morning, a number of heads of state and government agreed on a climate agreement at the UN conference in Copenhagen. The agreement includes agreement on the two degree target and money for climate financing. The agreement came after high-level negotiations in a smaller circle of around 30 countries – including China, India and the USA, as well as EU Member States.

”Let us speak plainly, I would have liked more. This will not solve the threat of climate change. But it is a first step, an important step”, said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt at a press conference after the end of the meeting on Friday night.

Afterwards, the Danish Presidency presented the Copenhagen Accord to all of the countries of the world in the plenary meeting at the Climate Change Conference. After protracted negotiations that continued through the night and the next morning – plenary decisions must be taken in consensus – the assembled countries decided to take formal ‘note’ of the agreement at lunchtime on Saturday.

In the agreement, a commitment of USD 30 billion from industrialised countries over the period 2010 to 2012 was decided, as ‘fast start funding’ for adaptation, emissions reductions, research and capacity building in developing countries, including funding to prevent deforestation. Mobilisation of financing for the needs of developing countries beyond the year 2020 is also addressed in the agreement and is estimated at USD 100 billion per year from 2020.

“What we wanted to achieve when we came here to Copenhagen was to get us out of the deadlock. Either we do something or we land in nothing. And now we have seen countries make efforts and set goals. Even countries that said they wouldn’t make any commitments have presented figures”, said Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Attached to the agreement is an annex, where countries or groups of countries can fill in their commitments on emissions reductions or climate change action. Mr Reinfeldt stressed that the agreement is not sufficiently ambitious for the EU to change its emissions target to a 30 per cent reduction by 2020.

A fund is proposed in the agreement, called the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund. Money will be channelled through the fund to support different initiatives for adaptation, emissions reductions and technology development. A mechanism will also be established to intensify technology transfer between developed and developing countries.

President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso also participated in the press conference.
“This agreement is better than none at all, but it is clearly below our objective. I am not going to hide my disappointment”, he said, and added:
“But it is the first step in a very important process."

More and more people make their homes and own property in EU countries other than the one in which they hold citizenship. This is leading to an increasing number of cross-border succession cases. EU citizens who are involved in such cases now confront a number of problems. It is common for cases concerning the same estate to be ongoing in several Member States, which is both time-consuming and costly. The European Commission has therefore presented a proposal for a regulation on succession that will make it easier for citizens.

The proposal contains provisions on the country in which a cross-border succession case is to be processed and on which country’s law is to be applied. There are also provisions on recognition and enforcement of decisions on succession within the EU. The establishment of a European certificate of succession is also proposed – a document that shows who succeeds a certain person or has the right to deal with the estate and that applies throughout the EU.

Today there is no EU legislation regulating cross-border succession. The Member States follow different rules about which country’s law is to apply and which court has jurisdiction. These differences lead to problems when authorities from more than one country are involved in the same case. It is also common for there to be parallel proceedings in several Member States.

The proposal will now be negotiated between the Member States. The negotiations began during the Swedish Presidency of the EU and will continue in the coming presidencies.

Talks were still underway when the clock struck midnight at the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Around the table with the EU at the high-level negotiations were representatives for Australia, China, Denmark, India, Japan, the USA and the African Union, among others, as well as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Earlier on Friday evening, a smaller group of leaders met to discuss how the negotiations can be moved forward.  Those taking part in the side meeting were Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

The second day of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council was entirely devoted to telecommunications issues. The ministers adopted conclusions on the digital dividend and on the future strategy for the information society.

A new digital agenda for Europe
The Council held a policy debate on the EU strategy for the information society, i2010. The starting point for the debate was a report from the Commission on the most important outcomes of the i2010 strategy over the period 2005–2009. The Council adopted conclusions that underlined the importance of an ambitious common European IT policy in order to reach overall goals for growth, jobs, social welfare and a good climate. The Commission will now continue with the work to draw up a new digital agenda for Europe.

The digital dividend
The ministers adopted conclusions on the Commission communication on how the digital dividend can be converted into social benefits and economic growth. The digital dividend refers to those radio frequencies that are freed up in the ground network with the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting. The Council conclusions stress the importance of the digital dividend in reaching out with broadband to rural areas and the fact that the radio spectrum is a limited resource that needs to be used efficiently.

Secure information infrastructure
The Council also adopted a resolution on the protection of critical information infrastructure. This is important not least because an increasing amount of our information storage happens via the Internet.
 

The world’s leaders have come together once again to move the climate negotiations forward, after having gathered in smaller groups during the afternoon. The EU leaders also met for a separate meeting at around 4.30. Earlier on Friday, Barack Obama, Wen Jiabao, Ban Ki-moon and Fredrik Reinfeldt were among the speakers at the plenary session at the climate change conference.

The purpose of the EU meeting, which was called by Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, was to inform the Member States of the state of play in the discussions and to coordinate the continued work. At lunchtime, Reinfeldt said that three main problems had been identified.

“These concern emissions reductions, financing and transparency in the different commitments the countries promise. European and African leaders will discuss the issue of financing, and the Presidency has made sure that American emissions reduction targets will be included in a special appendix", said Fredrik Reinfeldt.
 
Mr Reinfeldt said that Barack Obama, who joined the UN meeting late in the morning, had emphasised the conditionality aspect, i.e. that the promises of financing build on the fact that the measures presented are measurable.

“Crucial moment"

After this, a number of the leaders gathered in a plenary meeting. In his introduction, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that the fact that so many of the world's leaders had turned up showed how important the issue was.

“Climate change is a real, growing and burning issue. It affects our security and our economies. It is not often we have the opportunity to really design our future, but now we must do it. Now is a crucial moment for change."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took the floor after Mr Rasmussen.
“We are united in our common purpose, now we must unite in action. It is time for common sense, political leadership and courage", said Ban Ki-moon.

China and USA

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao talked at the plenary about the country's plans to increase the use of alternative energy sources, to improve monitoring and evaluation of its work against climate change and to reduce emissions.

US President Barack Obama also spoke at the plenary meeting.
“As the world's largest economy and the world's second largest emitting nation, the USA carries a responsibility."

He went on:
“We can take on this agreement and continue to build on it. Everyone here will then be involved in building a better future. Or we can choose to drag our heels and go back to the same obsolete arguments year after year until climate change is irreversible."

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has gathered the European heads of state and government for an extra coordination meeting, which opened at 15.30 on Friday. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the Member States about the situation in the discussions at the climate change conference in Copenhagen and to coordinate the continued work. The UN Climate Change Conference is into its final day.

A snowstorm raged as the second day of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation closing conference ‘Create. Innovate. Grow.’ came to an end. At a concluding panel discussion, the participants were agreed that increased international cooperation and getting more young people involved are key factors to increase creativity and innovation. “Innovation is global, we must work together”, said Anna Kirah from consultancy firm CPH Design, who took part in the panel discussion. We must equip everyone with the skills needed to actively participate in the process.”

Representatives from different sectors of society participated in the panel discussion, from the business sector to the cultural sector. Shima Niavarani, dramatist and actor, wanted to see more active work to identify, seek out and support creative people. A task that can be challenging.
“You don't have to be an artist to be creative, you can be creative when you work in business”, says Ms Niavarani.

Creativity was a thread running through the entire design of the conference, with Swedish schools having designed the concept of the conference. Forsberg School of Graphic Design, the University College of Dance, the Adolf Fredrik Music School, Cirkus Cirkör and Södra Latin School worked together to create a concept that was appreciated by the conference delegates. Throughout the conference, participants encountered the idea of fusion, in which two things are amalgamated into a new, stronger unit.

Prominent figures have been ambassadors

The European Year of Creativity and Innovation is a collaboration between the EU institutions and the Member States. During the year, 27 prominent figures, including researcher and Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi-Montalcini and designer Philippe Starck, have acted as ambassadors for the year.

On Thursday morning, the four ambassadors present, Karlheinz Brandenburg, Damini Kumar, Ernő Rubik and NAME, presented their manifesto. In the manifesto they called for initiatives to be encouraged by means of awards and support for intellectual property rights, and for the ‘reinvention’ of the education system to help ensure quality and creativity at all levels. This was an issue to which the panel discussion also returned. However, Roger O’Keeffe from the European Commission underlined the importance of making changes to the entire education system and not focusing on the contribution of individual teachers or pupils.

On the second day of the conference, the photography competition ‘Imagine a New World’ was also highlighted. The competition is part of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. The winner was Daniel Halasz with a series of photographs on the theme of a new world without borders.

“Not an end point”

Even if the Year of Creativity and Innovation is drawing to a close, many of the participants did not want to view the conference as an end point.
“‘Closing’ is the wrong term to describe this conference. This is not an end, but rather the end of the beginning”, said Pete Kercher from the organisation Design for All Europe, who attended the conference. “It was encouraging to see the commitment to these issues. The conference has been a fitting conclusion to the year.”

Jolanta Treile from the Latvian Ministry of Culture also appreciated the conference. Above all, she appreciated the fact that the conference provided an arena for many different people to meet.
“It was an unusual conference, but it has been exciting and it has felt very innovative”, said Ms Treile.

Innovation in the fight against poverty

After the European Year of Creativity and Innovation comes the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. In the panel discussion, Joakim Palme, Managing Director of the Institute for Future Studies, noted that innovation is an important ingredient of this work as well.
“There are innovations out there that can help to combat poverty. We must not fall into the trap of looking at it as a policy to deal with the poor parts of the world, but rather something from which everyone benefits.”

The Swedish Presidency is also drawing to a close. After the panel discussion, Luis Delgado from the upcoming Spanish Presidency talked about how the work on these issues will continue.

The day rounded off with Swedish traditions in the form of two St Lucia processions. The first procession was by Cirkus Cirkör. The audience got to meet a two-and-a-half metre tall Lucia, a beatboxing Santa Claus and a juggling star boy. The second Lucia procession was more traditional, with pupils from the Adolf Fredrik Music School, and was a procession that moved the day’s moderator Katti Hoflin, and no doubt one or two others in the audience, to tears.

The heads of state and government who met late yesterday evening to resolve some problems in the climate negotiations continued their meeting on Friday morning. US President Barack Obama joined the meeting at around 10.00 and intensive discussions are underway.

“We have had good, constructive discussions tonight. We hope to be able to reach a political umbrella agreement”, said Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt after the meeting last night.

Some 25 heads of state and government met last night and will continue their talks this morning. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the Swedish EU Presidency, called the meeting, together with Commission President José Manuel Barroso. The talks were chaired by Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Those attending the meeting included French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, South African President Jacob Zuma, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The UN Climate Change Conference is supposed to end today, so the time for talks is short.