Swedish presidency of the EU

Today the Swedish government takes over the presidency of the EU from the Czech Republic (official website here). Once again the work programme for the new presdiency is quite extensive. Apparently Sweden wants to focus on the economy, employment and climate. As such the programme is part of a larger 18-months programme drawn up together with the previous holders of the EU Presidency, France and the Czech Republic. The larger programme consists of two parts. The first part contains long-term goals that the trio has drawn up together with the next three holders of the Presidency: Spain, Belgium and Hungary. The second part of the programme contains those issues within the EU’s different areas of activity that are expected to arise during the 18-month period. The purpose of a common programme is to make the Council’s work and planning more efficient.