The Presidency's objective was to make sure that the EU continued to take responsibility for considering climate change and to act in unison at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The EU had wished for a more ambitious result of this conference.

The Presidency's aim was to ensure that the EU would emerge stronger from the current economic and financial crisis. Therefore the following has been agreed:

The Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December 2009.

The Presidency’s ambition was to adopt a programme in the area of justice, known as the Stockholm Programme. This programme will guide EU justice, police and migration cooperation over the next five years and highlights:

The Presidency has emphasised the importance of encouraging and supporting people to enter or re-enter the labour market and to gain access to employment. Active labour market policies and active social security policies  will benefit those furthest away  from the labour market, regardless of the state of the economy. The Presidency has also highlighted  how gender equality can strengthen growth. A political agreement was reached on equal treatment of women and men who are self-employed workers/assisting spouses.

The presidency has raised questions concerning teachers’ and school leaders’ role for the quality in education and for competitiveness in Europe.

The EU has made progress regarding the strengthening of the rights of suspects in criminal proceedings. Consensus has also been reached on more stringent penal regulations against human trafficking.
A strategy for making information exchange among crime-fighting authorities more efficient and legally secure has been adopted. The protection of the individual’s personal data shall be strengthened. Crucial progress in the negotiations on the common asylum system has been made.

The Presidency has highlighted the possibilities a transition to an eco-efficient economy offers. It has shown how Europe can take a green route out of the economic crisis towards greater competitiveness, improved welfare and new jobs. The Presidency indicated how the knowledge triangle will strengthen European innovativeness. Securing investment in education and research would lead to innovations that can provide growth is vital to Europe’s competitiveness.

Work has begun during the Swedish Presidency on the future of EU transport policy. The focus is on climate-smart and safe transport in Europe and on setting up efficient freight corridors through the EU.

Swedish Presidency of the EU
Kristina Zetterström (Director Communication's Secretariat), tel. +46 8 405 55 48

16/12/2009

policy

Urban Policy