Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the EU

Today, a total of €7 billion were pledged by the international community at the ‘Together for the people of Türkiye and Syria’ International Donors’ Conference, co-hosted by the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, and by the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, for the Swedish Presidency of the Council.

During the week of 20–24 March, several meetings focusing on education will be held as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Skills supply, the green transition and education for Ukrainian pupils are among the agenda items. Minister for Education Mats Persson and Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm will both deliver opening addresses.

On Monday 20 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will attend the international donors’ conference in Brussels. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU initiated the donors’ conference to help the people in Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquakes.

Earthquakes: The European Commission and the Swedish Council Presidency will host an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria on 20 March in Brussels.

Today, UN negotiations on an agreement to protect marine biodiversity succeeded after 15 years. The agreement will establish rules to limit environmental impacts and marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has led the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its Member States together with the European Commission.

On 7–8 March, EU defence ministers will gather for an informal meeting in Stockholm.

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU is toughening its sanctions against Russia. This is the first sanctions package adopted under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The new sanctions include measures such as expanded export restrictions on technological and industrial products vital to Russia’s economy and military capability.

On 27–28 February, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch and Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson will host an informal meeting of EU ministers in Stockholm. On the agenda are discussions on the future of energy and transport in the EU.

Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is visiting Ankara today together with European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi for joint talks with Turkish representatives. They will discuss the donor conference in support of the earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria, initiated by Sweden together with the European Commission.

Under the leadership of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, an EU Working Group will be set up to look at using frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Opening speech by the Minister for Defence Pål Jonson at the conference on security and defence within the framework of Sweden's presidency of the EU on 30 January 2023, Uppsala. Check against delivery.

Speech delivered by Diana Janse, State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, at the launch of IDEA's report on EU external democracy action in Brussels on 31 January 2023. Check against delivery.

State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Diana Janse will be in Brussels on 31 January to participate in a meeting on the EU’s external democracy action. During the conference, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), will launch a report commissioned by Sweden ahead of its Presidency of the Council of the EU.

On 26–27 January, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer and Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard will lead the first informal ministerial meeting of the Presidency in Sweden. The agenda includes EU migration policy, the fight against organised crime and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

In the last week of January and the first week of February, Government ministers will present the Swedish Presidency's priorities in their respective areas to the European Parliament’s committees.

On Monday 16 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive President of the European Council Charles Michel in Stockholm. It is Mr Michel’s first visit to Sweden since it took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The lifting of exit restrictions from China, combined with the increased and widespread spread of COVID-19 in the country, has raised the question of introducing entry restrictions, including in Europe. Sweden is now preparing to introduce certain such restrictions requiring a negative COVID-19 test. Travellers from China need to be prepared for decisions being taken at short notice.

Sweden now takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Over the next six months, you can follow the work of the Presidency in several channels, and are welcome to contact the Presidency press service.

The Swedish Presidency logo represents solidarity and community. The visual identity is inspired by the Swedish light and its variation from January to June.

Security, resilience, prosperity, democratic values and the rule of law are the priorities of the forthcoming Swedish Presidency. This was conveyed by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in a speech in the Riksdag today.