Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister, comes to the European Parliament in Brussels to present the programme of Sweden’s six-month Presidency of the Council, which started on 1 January. The four priorities of the Swedish Presidency are security, competitiveness, the green and energy transitions, democratic values and the rule of law. Extracts from the debate in plenary.

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Sweden (T)

Swedish Presidency of the EU (T)

president's agenda

KRISTERSSON, Ulf

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Swedish Presidency with Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister Our chief priorities aim to help make Europe greener, safer and freer, greener, safer and freer.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister Everybody's first priority is, and it has to be Ukraine. Nothing is as important. But this is not simply crisis management. This is about fighting for democracy and fighting for decency. Ukraine victory is existential for Europe and honestly, existential for the whole world.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister The Swedish Presidency intends to do its part to strengthen the EU as a frontrunner in the green transition.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister If we want to maintain our leading knowledge based economies with innovative industries, we need to step up our game. Therefore, we need a long term new strategy on EU level to boost competitiveness and productivity. The Single market 13th year anniversary is a very useful starting point for that work.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister The fourth priority of the Swedish presidency will be to uphold the Union's common fundamental values.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister These values, not corruption and cronyism are what ukraine, Moldova and other candidate countries are aspiring towards in that sense making sure that we preserve the rule of law in the EU is also a way of enhancing our global competitiveness and our attractiveness.

SOUNDBITE in EN, Ulf KRISTERSSON, Swedish Prime Minister Thank you all for your attention. I now look forward to the debate.

SOUNDBITE in EN, &Scaron;EFČOVIČ Maro&scaron;, Vice-President of the EC Ukraine continues to defend its land with bravery and tenacity. Our support, likewise, is unwavering with the first tranche of the unprecedented &euro;18 billion support package set to be disbursed still this month.

SOUNDBITE in EN, &Scaron;EFČOVIČ Maro&scaron;, Vice-President of the EC Secondly, we must continue to overcome the energy crisis, a consequence of the war in Ukraine being felt deeply by citizens and businesses across the Europe.

SOUNDBITE in EN, WEBER Manfred, EPP Group leader (EPP, DE) You have taken responsibility and committed yourself to our European security. You are not only making NATO's now stronger is joining the NATO, but the entire European Union.

SOUNDBITE in EN, WEBER Manfred, EPP Group leader (EPP, DE) The most important point is in this presidency Jobs, jobs, jobs. We speak again about competitiveness, and it's about people. When we speak about competitiveness to being social means, above all, providing people with a job and a decent income.

SOUNDBITE in ES,GARC&Iacute;A P&Eacute;REZ Iratxe, S&amp;D Group leader (S&amp;D, ES) The main challenge of this year is social discontent. If inflation continues undermining purchasing power, then we're going to have to come up with permanent financial instrument in order to protect the most vulnerable businesses and families.

SOUNDBITE in EN , AZMANI Malik, (Renew, NL) We see clearly that families are worried about the cost of living, high inflation, economic uncertainty.

SOUNDBITE in EN , AZMANI Malik, (Renew, NL) The best way to fight back is to focus on innovation, secure the green transition, and build a modern European and open economy.

SOUNDBITE in EN, LAMBERTS Philippe, Greens/EFA Group leader (Greens:EFA, BE) Your government is now being held hostage by the Swedish Democrats, an extreme right wing populist Eurosceptic party that is actually the largest member of your coalition. And despite your claims to the contrary, you're with them, gives them a direct say, not just on national but also on EU policies. Asylum and migration is the most glaring example of that influence.