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Tiny Sweden takes on its biggest challenge
Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono once told this newspaper that Scandinavian countries were in a better position to lead world bodies like the United Nations, because they were small, rich, independent and good at diplomacy
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Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono once told this newspaper that Scandinavian countries were in a better position to lead world bodies like the United Nations, because they were small, rich, independent and good at diplomacy.
Today, Sweden, the small but rich Scandinavian nation with a penchant for quiet diplomacy, assumes the European Union presidency from the Czech Republic. It will hold the presidency until Dec. 31, 2009.
As holder of the EU presidency, Sweden will lead the Council of European Union and act as the driving force behind the EU's legislative and political work. It also means Swedish Cabinet members and diplomats have to chair 3,000 meetings in Stockholm, Brussels and other cities in the next six months.
Though this is not the first time for Sweden, a country of 9.2 million people, to take up a big challenge like leading half a billion people, this time it may be completely different and more challenging.
"We held the EU presidency in 2001, so we have some experience. Though the situation may not be good because of the global financial crisis, we are confident we can run our presidency smoothly," Anders Backman, the Swedish Embassy's charg* d'affaires, told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview at his office in Jakarta.
Backman also noted his Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's recent remarks on Sweden's EU presidency.
"Europe is facing many difficult challenges. I am convinced every challenge is an opportunity. And that is what the Swedish presidency is all about - taking on the challenge," Reinfeldt said at a seminar at the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels early last month.
When asked about the main priorities of the Swedish EU presidency, Backman said there were three main items.
"During our presidency, we will focus mainly on restoring the functions of Europe's financial markets and dealing with growing unemployment and addressing climate change," Backman said.
Most of Europe is looking forward to Sweden's EU presidency and its policies to deal with the devastating impact of the global financial crisis on European markets. Reinfeldt has already outlined his views in a recent article in the Financial Times, penned along with his Finance Minister Anders Borg.
"Our first economic objective will be to manage the EU's efforts to combat the downturn. Our starting point will be the current agenda for growth, competition and employment. Our aim is for the EU to emerge from the financial crisis in a stronger position.
"Two challenges stand out: Restoring the functioning of, and confidence in, financial markets, and countering the negative impact on employment and growth," Reinfieldt and Borg wrote.
Sweden, Backman said will have to deal with a raft of issues and problems during its EU presidency.
"We have to develop and strengthen issues like judicial cooperation under the Stockholm Program, Baltic Sea Strategy, accession negotiations and trans-Atlantic relations," Backman said.
Of course, Backman continued, one of the important issues will be the Lisbon Treaty, whose fate will be decided by Irish voters some time in October.
Earlier, Irish voters rejected the ambitious treaty to provide a constitution for the 27-member EU. In an effort to secure a "Yes" vote in the second referendum, EU leaders last month tried to address the worries of Irish voters by providing legal guarantees for Ireland on some sensitive issues.
Above all, the Swedish EU presidency comes at the right time and can make a big impact on the ongoing efforts to clinch a deal on climate change in Copenhagen in December.
Why?
Sweden is one of the world's foremost research nations and a pioneer in environmental technology.
"We care about the environment a lot. A third of our all energy consumed comes from renewable sources. We achieved EU carbon emissions targets a long time ago," Backman said.
In fact, 96 percent of household waste in Sweden is recycled, either as material or as energy, which is mainly used in the country's district heating system. Sweden has for several decades now not been using coal as an energy source.
During its EU presidency, Sweden has to try to formulate a coherent EU position on climate change.
When asked about relations between the EU and Indonesia in the coming six months, Backman said they would improve further.
"The relations between the EU and Indonesia are already good and they will grow further. We hope the restrictions on Indonesian airlines will be lifted soon. We are also hoping that during our presidency, both will sign the much-awaited Partnership and Cooperation Agreement," Backman said.
Three musketeers - Prime Minister Reinfeldt and his high-profile Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Finance Minister Borg - are ready to show their leadership skills.
"Europe and the Swedish presidency face many challenges. In addition we must expect the unexpected. Dealing with unforeseen events is often what distinguishes a presidency. By working together in a way that is open, efficient and result-oriented, we will take on this challenge," Reinfeldt said.
