The Swedish Presidency of the EU is launched

The Swedish Presidency of the EU is launched

Sweden, which has taken over the European Presidency from the Czech Republic on 1 July 2007, will be carrying out this task for the last six month of the year. "It's going to be a very exciting six months, but the task before us is not an easy one" said Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Reinfeldt emphasized that the financial crisis and the rising unemployment that is currently affecting the whole of Europe and the climate change that has become very concerning for the whole world are the two priorities that will dominate their Presidency. Other than these, strengthening of EU cooperation on justice and home affairs in order to be in a better position to fight cross-border crime, dealing with environmental problems in the Baltic Sea region and increasing the region's competitiveness, continuing the work to form closer ties between the EU and its neighbouring countries and EU enlargement, having a global role for peace, development, democracy and human rights.

It was stated that the enlargement process of EU will continue and the presidency is aiming for continued progress in Türkiye's accession negotiations. It was also emphasized that a solution to the Cyprus issue would greatly spur the Türkiye's EU integration process.