Ahead of each new rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (every 6 months), the ministers of the holding country present their priorities in a series of meetings with parliamentary committees related to their political area. On January 2023, the committees of ENVI (Environment, Public Health and Food Safety), AFET (Foreign Affairs) and ECON (Economic and Monetary Affairs) welcomed the Sweden's ministers, including Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister for Climate and Environment, Elisabeth Svantesson, ECOFIN President and Minister for Finance of Sweden and Tobias Lennart Billström, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Brussels

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

CANFIN, Pascal (Renew, FR)

Swedish Presidency of the EU (T)

BILLSTRÖM, Tobias (SE)

TINAGLI, Irene (S&D, IT)

POURMOKHTARI, Romina

SVANTESSON, Elisabeth

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Swedish Ministers: extracts from the EP Committee meetings (ENVI - ECON - AFET)

Title: Presentation of the EU Council&apos;s priorities by Swedish Ministers: extracts from the EP Committee meetings (ENVI - ECON - AFET) (I-236222)

Arrival of Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), ENVI Committee Chair (2 shots)

Arrival of Romina POURMOKHTARI, Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, and meeting with Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR), ENVI Committee Chair (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Romina POURMOKHTARI, Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, Our presidency of the Council will aim to make the EU greener, safer and freer. Now, these matters are not isolated. Europe faces several global challenges. The effects of climate change are becoming more apparent. Extreme weather events have been hitting all parts of our union in the last years, resulting in forest fires, floods, droughts, melting glaciers and heatwaves. Our freedom, as well as our security, is challenged by the climate and biodiversity loss that we are facing.

SOUNDBITE (English), Romina POURMOKHTARI, Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, And during our presidency we will therefore continue the work on the nature restoration law with the possible adoption of a general approach in June.

SOUNDBITE (English), Romina POURMOKHTARI, Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, We aim to deliver council mandates to commence interinstitutional negotiations for the revised regulations on F gases and the ozone depleting substances. We look forward to starting council negotiations on the proposals for a CO2 emissions standards for heavy duty vehicles and the carbon removal certification framework.

Arrival of Elisabeth SVENTESSON, Swedish Minister of Finance and meeting with Irene TINAGLI (S&amp;D, IT), Chair of ECON Committee (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisabeth SVENTESSON, Swedish Minister of Finance, to deal with the challenging and difficult economic situation in short term, but also to build long term strength and resilience, the EU internal market 30 years this year - which is is a key for the economic growth - should be strengthened further.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisabeth SVENTESSON, Swedish Minister of Finance, We will continue to monitor the situation and we stand ready to discuss the needs of further financial support for Ukraine if needed, and work fast on any proposal related to this. Another main priority on our agenda is the economic governance review, as the Chair has told us about, and it will contribute to achieving an overall sound and responsible economic policy that supports sustainable public finance and growth in all Member states.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisabeth SVENTESSON, Swedish Minister of Finance, Just a few words about the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and we have come a long way since it was adopted in 2021. Yet it will require much work from all of us, especially national levels.

Arrival of David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of AFET Committee and Tobias Lennert BILLSTR&Ouml;M, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Tobias Lennert BILLSTR&Ouml;M, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Swedish presidency will prioritise continued economic and military support for Ukraine, as well as support for its path towards the EU. Another expression of EU support is our sanctions. During our Presidency we will continue to explore how to increase the collective pressure on Russia. We also need to continue efforts to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other most serious crimes in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including ways to secure accountability for the crime of aggression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tobias Lennert BILLSTR&Ouml;M, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, A strong Europe and a strong transatlantic link are mutually reinforcing. Europe needs to assume great responsibility for both European and transatlantic defence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tobias Lennert BILLSTR&Ouml;M, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, We will follow closely developments in the Balkans, focusing in particular on the rising tensions in Serbia and Kosovo and a continuous volatile situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU enlargement instruments remain key to long term stability in the region.