Sweden in the EU
Being a member of the EU means that Sweden has a direct influence on and is directly affected by EU decisions. The Government’s main role in the EU context is to represent Sweden in the European Council and in the Council of the European Union.
- Responsible ministers
- Stefan Löfven
- Hans Dahlgren
- Responsible ministries
- Prime Minister's Office
Sweden’s work in the European Council
The European Council determines the EU’s general political guidelines and priorities. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven represents Sweden in the European Council.
EU policy areas
The EU Member States work together in the Council of the European Union, also known as the Council. The work of the Council is divided into ten policy areas, each of which has its own configuration.
Brexit – the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU
This page contains more information on how the Government and the Government Offices are working in response to Brexit. It describes how Sweden is preparing for Brexit, including contingency planning for a no-deal withdrawal.
Projects and Strategies
Increased participation in the EU
The Swedish Government is working to strengthen participation, knowledge and engagement in EU-related issues in Sweden. In cooperation with relevant actors in society, the Government is creating better conditions for citizens to participate in EU affairs and influence decisions taken at EU level.
Europe 2020
The Europe 2020 Strategy is the EU common strategy for growth and jobs that has been in place since June 2010. The aim of the Europe 2020 strategy is to stimulate the economies of the Member States and so create increased growth and more jobs.
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
The aim of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is to meet the challenges common to the countries in the Baltic Sea Region today. The Strategy has three main objectives: saving the sea, connecting the region and increasing prosperity.
Content about Sweden in the EU
Total 390 hits.
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Summit on the EU’s long-term budget
On Thursday 20 February, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will be in Brussels to meet his colleagues in the European Council. They will try to agree on the EU’s long-term budget for 2021–2027.
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The 'frugal four' advocate a responsible EU budget
Opinion Piece by Sebastian Kurz, chancellor of Austria. Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands, Mette Frederiksen, prime minister of Denmark, and Stefan Löfven, prime minister of Sweden, co-wrote this article, which was published in Financial Times on 17 February 2020.
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Ann Linde presents the 2020 Statement of Foreign Policy
Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde is presenting the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. The Statement, which summarises the Government’s foreign policy priorities for 2020, includes a new announcement on strengthened efforts to combat organised crime. Also notable in the Statement is a stronger focus on security in Europe ahead of Sweden assuming the role of Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2021.
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The Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy 2020
On 12 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2020 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.
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Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren and Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg ahead of the UK withdrawal from the EU
The UK left the EU on 1 February. What happens now and what does the transition period that begins entail? What form will future relations between the EU and the UK take? Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren and Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg discuss some of the details in an interview.
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Stefan Löfven to receive Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas
On Friday 17 January, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will receive Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. The two heads of government will discuss current issues of concern to our countries. These include bilateral issues between Estonia and Sweden as well as topical issues and EU issues, such as Brexit and the Eastern Partnership. Since Estonia is coordinating Nordic-Baltic cooperation this year, these matters will also be taken up.
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Feminist Trade Policy
Sweden has the first feminist government in the world. This means that gender equality is central to the Government’s priorities – in decision-making and resource allocation. Women and men must have the same power to shape society and their own lives; this is a human right and a matter of democracy and justice. There is also overwhelming evidence that gender equality boosts economic growth. Despite this, trade policy today benefits men more than women. With this in mind, the Swedish government’s feminist trade policy includes six focus areas where we will step up efforts to ensure that trade policy and trade promotion activities benefit women and men equally. We must begin to see gender as a market access issue and give priority in trade negotiations to sectors, products and services that have positive implications for women. We will also take a range of measures and initiatives to improve the gender balance in Sweden’s promotion activities.
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Climate, long-term budget and Brexit at EU summit
On 12–13 December, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will meet his European Council colleagues for the final summit of the year. EU leaders will discuss the EU’s climate goals for 2050, the EU's long-term budget and external relations. Deepening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and Brexit are on Friday’s agenda.
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Åsa Lindhagen hosted EU ministerial meeting on gender equality in Stockholm
At the initiative of Minister for Gender Equality Åsa Lindhagen, an EU ministerial meeting on gender equality – The STHLM Initiative – took place in Stockholm on 3–4 December. Ms Lindhagen invited Finland, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the other EU Member States that will hold the Presidency in the coming years.
