Sweden’s work in the European Council

The UK was the focus of the discussions when the EU heads of state and government gathered for the European Council meeting on 28–29 June. UK Prime Minister David Cameron took part on the first day and on the second day the other 27 leaders met for an informal meeting to discuss the future of the EU.

On the first day of the European Council on Thursday 17 March, the EU leaders agreed on a joint position on cooperation with Turkey. Friday’s talks with Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu resulted in an agreement on migration issues aimed at stopping the irregular flow of refugees and ending human smuggling. Sweden was represented by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.

The migration crisis was once again the focus when the EU’s heads of state and government met Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in Brussels on Monday. After their meeting with Mr Davutoğlu, the EU leaders gathered for an informal European Council, where further measures to limit migration flows from Turkey to the EU were among the topics raised.

Note: This press release was published on 4 March 2016. The European Commission must establish scientific criteria to determine what constitutes an endocrine disruptor. It is expected that this demand will be made jointly by EU environment ministers today. Establishing scientifically based criteria is crucial to being able to regulate the use of endocrine disruptors, which are currently used in a considerable number of products.

At the last European Council Summit of the year, EU leaders discussed migration issues and the fight against terrorism. Also on the agenda were economic issues and the upcoming UK referendum on EU membership. Sweden was represented by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. The meeting took place on 17 and 18 December.

The first Summit of the European Council this year was marked by tough negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom. Late on Friday evening, an agreement was presented on the four overall areas in which the UK had specific demands. Sweden was represented by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.

Migration issues were once again in focus when EU heads of state and government met for the European Council meeting in Brussels on 15 October. Discussions concerned both the reception centres (hotspots) to be established in the EU and EU common return policy. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven took part in the meeting.

At the informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 23 September, the EU heads of state and government agreed on further measures to help bring about a resolution to the acute migration crisis in Europe and its neighbourhood. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven is taking part in an extraordinary EU summit between heads of state and government today, Wednesday 23 September in Brussels. The main point of the discussion will be combating the underlying factors causing people to flee. The EU must do more to help resolve the ongoing conflicts and to help people on the ground.