Sweden to lay down EU priorities of presidency

Eight years ago Sweden took the EU presidency in times of relative calm, but those days are long gone.

Later today Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will lay out the priorities of his country’s six months at the helm of the world’s largest trading bloc. Top of the agenda is the Lisbon Treaty, a charter which aims to change the union’s decision-making procedures.

The Irish have already voted “no” with a second poll due to take place in October and a similar result will plunge the EU back into crisis at a time when the union should be dealing with more pressing problems.

One of which is climate change the Swedes will have to come up with a plan on how to finance a climate change package, and calm the fears of eastern European nations that want wealthier members shoulder more of the burden.

See the speech live on euronews at 10.15 CET.

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tags: EU Presidency, Sweden