SWEDEN TOOK OVER THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU

Sweden took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from the Czech Republic on 1 January 2023. This is
the third time Sweden is assuming the rotating Presidency of the Council after January-June 2001 and July-
December 2009. The Swedish EU Presidency which will last until 30 June 2023 will also conclude the 18-month
programme of the 11th Trio Presidency consisting of France, Czech Republic and Sweden.

Sweden's newly elected Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson published the priorities and work programme for the
Swedish EU Presidency on 14 December 2022. The priorities and work programme reflect Sweden's traditional
positions in the EU and respond to the current economic and geopolitical challenges facing the Union.

The Main Priorities Set Out by the Swedish EU Presidency

The priorities identified by Sweden EU Presidency are as follows:

-Security-Unity
-Resilience- Competitiveness
-Prosperity- Green & Energy Transitions
-Democratic Values and the Rule of Law - Our Foundation

Sweden's priorities and programme highlight issues related to the security of the EU and its citizens, joint
support for Ukraine, energy security, the climate transition, the need to strengthen the competitiveness and
resilience of the European Single Market.

There are already some concerns about the Sweden's EU Presidency, which has recently formed a government
led by the centre-right Moderate Union Party and has also been working to join NATO. In light of these four
priorities, the Presidency plans to organise around 2,000 official meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg and
around 150 official/informal meetings in Sweden.

Since joining the EU in 1995, Sweden has left its mark in many policy areas. It is expected to leave its mark
both on the legislative initiatives started by the Czech EU Presidency and on its own programme. It is also
expected that Sweden will seek a broad consensus among EU countries and call for pragmatism for real
solutions. In particular, Sweden is expected to prioritise the negotiation of the files under the EU Pact on
Migration and Asylum, negotiation of the Fit for 55 Package, EU leadership on the reform of the WTO, wider
trade relations with the US, more ambitious free trade agreements with third countries and the
implementation of the Single Market Emergency Instrument.

Sweden will hold the rotating EU Presidency for six months under the motto "greener, safer and
freer". Despite the recent change of government and the difficulties in achieving unity among EU
Member States, Sweden aims to carry out an effective Presidency. Moreover, during its six-month
Presidency, Sweden has to fulfil the EU's priorities, with challenges such as the war in Ukraine,
tackling inflation in Europe and securing energy supplies.
The Main Priorities Set Out by the Czech Presidency

The priorities identified by the Czech EU Presidency are as

follows:

- Management of the refugee crisis and Ukraine’s post-war

recovery,
- Energy security,
- Strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities and cyberspce
security,
- Strategic resilience of the European economy,
- Resilience of democratic institutions.

This priority includes the continuation of the economic sanctions against Russia and the
continuation of the military and political support given to Ukraine by the EU countries. In addition,
it was announced that the situation of Ukrainian refugees who rushed into Eastern European
countries as a result of the ongoing conflict will be among the issues to be addressed during the
Czech Presidency.

Secondly, Russia’s intervention in Ukraine ignited the energy security debates within the EU. In particular, the
efforts to impose sanctions on Russian oil and natural gas led to objections by various EU countries which are
dependent on Russia. For this reason, the debate on energy security will continue to be one of the main issues
during the Czech Presidency. It was stated in the declaration that the EU could not be vitally dependent on the
countries that directly threaten its security and therefore had to end its dependence on Russian gas, oil, and
coal. It was emphasized that the implementation of the REPowerEU Plan would be accelerated, and that
energy sources should be diversified by investing in low-emission and renewable energy.

Third, it was announced that defence and cybersecurity would be strengthened. In this context, it has
been noted that the implementation of the Strategic Compass, which constitutes the EU’s military strategy
for 2030, would be supported. However, these capabilities will be realized through cooperating with non-
European partners under the umbrella of NATO. It was stated that implementation efforts of EU Hybrid
Toolbox would be accelerated, which is outlined in the Strategic Compass and considered as a tool to
counter hybrid threats such as disinformation, foreign intervention, and cyber attacks.

Fourth, the economy will come to the fore especially in direct connection with the global inflation waves,
rising energy prices and deterioration of supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine
have severely disrupted global supply chains and increased energy prices to record level. Therefore, tackling
these economic problems would be among the priority topics of the Czech Presidency.

Last but not least, democratic values will be one of the main themes under the Czech EU Presidency. In this
regard, the Prague administration has set some goals such as transparent financing of political parties, the
independence of mass media and establishing an open dialogue with citizens in order to maintain and develop
the democratic values and the rule of law in the EU. In the light of all these priorities, it should be pointed out
that the main aim of the Czech Presidency is to contribute to the creation of conditions ensuring the security
and prosperity of the EU.