H.E. Mr. Magnus Ryd?n:

I thank the Chairman and the members of the committee. It is an honour for me and my deputy, Ms Annica White, to be here to present the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is Sweden’s third time in the EU Presidency role and we are delighted that we have the opportunity to be here and that the Swedish EU Presidency coincides with Ireland and Denmark celebrating 50 years of EU membership.

The central role of the Presidency is to lead the work of the Council at all levels. Another important task is to advance the EU agenda in the common interest of all the member states. During the Presidency, there will be some 2 000 formal meetings and we will organise 150 informal meetings in Sweden. We will welcome some 17 000 delegates to Sweden to attend the meetings. Most importantly we will, together with the Commission and the European Parliament, address some 350 current policy and legislative issues during the first half of 2023. This is at the core of the EU Presidency.

Sweden's Prime Minister, Mr. Ulf Kristersson presented the priorities in December. They are based on the trio programme jointly developed by Sweden, France and the Czech Republic. The motto for the Presidency is "A safer, greener and freer Europe".

The four priorities of the Presidency will be security; green transition and energy transition; competitiveness and democratic values; and the rule of law. These are the four priorities but as is the case with all Presidencies, we also have to be prepared for the unexpected. We have to be flexible and ready to change focus depending on external events and circumstances.

The primary task of the Swedish Presidency is to help ensure Europe’s security. The EU’s rapid and determined response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine was a sign of strength. Maintaining this unity regarding both enhanced support to Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian regime will be an absolutely key task for the Presidency. Not only the external security but also internal security must be strengthened through better border surveillance and enhanced police co-operation.

On the green transition and energy transition the Swedish Presidency aims to finalise negotiations on the remaining parts of the EU's Fit for 55 climate package. The EU has an ambitious target of reducing its net emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and we will be making key contributions to meet this target. In order for the EU to be able to rapidly reduce its dependence on Russian gas and other fossil energy sources, more fossil-free and reliable electricity, including nuclear power, is needed. We need to respect the right of each member state to decide on its own energy mix. The EU must also be well-equipped for next winter. The Swedish Presidency will need to be prepared to take additional emergency measures to manage the energy crisis and energy costs. The first quarter of 2023 may also see work begin on a major reform of the European energy market.

During our Presidency we will celebrate one of EU's greatest achievements, the Single Market. We will mark the 30th anniversary of the Internal Market by looking forward and setting a long-term competitiveness agenda for the European Union. The Single Market works well for goods, but needs to be developed for services and digital business models. We will also push for an ambitious free trade agenda with our trading partners around the world.

On democratic values and the rule of law, we have seen in recent years challenges to the rule of law mounting both here in the EU and globally. Independent judiciaries and functioning democratic institutions are necessary for mutual trust between member states. Upholding the principle of rule of law and fundamental rights is therefore an essential element of Sweden's Presidency of the Council. The Commission's Rule of Law Report presents significant developments at EU level which is encouraging.

Also, Europe’s geopolitical position has changed and the need for unity has never been greater.

I would like to add the following point on enlargement. The Presidency will follow up on the European Council’s decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and to offer a European perspective to Georgia, and we will continue the EU's integration process of the western Balkan countries. The future of these countries and their citizens lies in the EU. The EU needs to continue to support these countries in their efforts to implement reforms as part of the accession process. Reforms in the area of the judiciary and rule of law are crucial in this context. I thank members for their attention.