The Four Priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the EU

Urban Ahlin is the Ambassador of Sweden to Canada, since February 2019. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Mr Ahlin was a member of Parliament, representing the Social Democratic Party. Following the 2014 parliamentary election Mr Ahlin was elected Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Sveriges Riksdag.  

 

Urban Ahlin first became a member of Parliament in 1994. Mr Ahlin has since then worked in the field of foreign policy in various capacities including Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, member of the War Delegation and he is also a former member of the Swedish Defence Commission. Mr Ahlin also held the position of Foreign Policy Spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party and was a member of the party’s Executive Board. Furthermore, Mr Ahlin is one of the founding members of the first pan-European think-tank, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).  

 

Urban Ahlin is a teacher and graduated from the University of Karlstad with a Master of Science.

 

The four priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the EU:

 

Security, competitiveness, green and energy transitions, democratic values and the rule of law. These are the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2023.  

 

Sweden is assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a time of historic challenges for Member States and the Union as a whole. Russia’s illegal, unacceptable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is a threat to European security, with dire consequences for migration, as well as global food and energy supplies. Ukraine is fighting for its survival as a nation – and for the security and lives of its citizens. The EU and its Member States have rallied unprecedented support for Ukraine and will remain firmly by its side. Continued cooperation with trusted partners, including a strong transatlantic link, needs to be secured.  

 

European economies are severely affected by Russia’s war as well as the ongoing manipulation of energy supply. Rising inflation levels, interest rates and energy prices have left companies and citizens struggling. While decisive action has been taken, it is imperative that we stay firm in our transition to the green economy and safeguard the basis of our economic model for long-term growth.  

 

Our unity and readiness to act remain key to EU security, resilience and prosperity.