04/09/2009
The global economic crisis and climate change will be among issues discussed by the Swedish Ambassador His Excellency Staffan Carlsson, when he visits the Parliament to highlight the priorities of the new EU Presidency.
Making his first public appearance in Scotland since Sweden began its Presidency on July 1, Ambassador Carlsson will be welcomed to the Parliament by the European and External Relations Committee.
He will meet Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, Michael Russell MSP, and representatives from other political parties be fore setting out the priorities of the Presidency in the coming months.
European and External Relations Committee Convener Irene Oldfather MSP said: “We welcome the visit by the Swedish Ambassador His Excellency Staffan Carlsson to the Scottish Parliament and value the opportunity the visit provides to hear about the priorities of Sweden during its Presidency of the European Union.
"The Swedish Presidency is focusing on key areas such as the need to ensure the economies of EU member states emerge from the global recession in a strong financial position, employment and climate change.
"Other issues include work on the fishing rights of EU member states, including a review of the regulatory framework of the Common Fisheries Policy.”
Ambassador Carlsson said: “I am very much looking forward to visiting Edinburgh and discussing the EU agenda. There will be plenty of challenging issues to talk about.”
Further information
The Swedish EU Presidency will focus on three specific and challenging areas of work – the economy, employment and climate. Mr Carlsson will outline the work of the Presidency in these and other areas, with details including:
- that EU member states will work to counter the negative effects of the global recession, minimise unemployment levels and ensure the EU emerges from the economic crisis in a strong financial position
- that the EU continues to take responsibility for the climate-change threat and works for the adoption of a new climate-change agreement during the international climate-change negotiations in Copenhagen in December
- the possible ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon
- work on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy regulatory framework.