Athens, 16 February 2023

European Affairs Committee and National Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee briefed on Swedish EU Council Presidency Priorities

The priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union were the subject of the agenda of today's joint meeting of the European Affairs Committee and National Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hellenic Parliament, on the occasion of Sweden's assumption - for the third time in its history - of the rotating presidency of the EU, on 1 January 2023. The members of the Committee were briefed by the Swedish Ambassador to Greece Johan Borgstam.

In his introductory statement, the 1st Vice-President and Chairman of the Special Standing Committee on European Affairs Nikitas Kaklamanis, commenting on the importance of security in relation to unity as a main priority of the Swedish Presidency, noted that the threat against security, however it may be expressed, within the EU or elsewhere, is linked with the quality of life of the European citizens. "The widespread sense of insecurity among our citizens," he continued, "is increasingly influencing their political choices, a reality that should not be taken lightly, since the greatest threat for the European Union is the threat to its unity. He also reaffirmed our country's support for the accession application of Sweden and Finland to NATO, a fact that will further strengthen Europe's collective security, while he condemned the bargaining tactics practiced by Turkey, which is instrumentalising the procedures of the alliance in order to serve its own interests and at the expense of the unity of the alliance.

Consecutively, the Ambassador of Sweden to Greece Johan Borgstam took the floor and referred to the four basic priorities of the Swedish Presidency: security in relation to unity, strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy with emphasis on the resilience of the Common Market, the green and energy transition, as well as the protection of the European fundamental values and respect for the rule of law.   

With regard to the issue of European security, Mr Borgstam stressed that Ukraine is the starting point, as it is not just about managing a crisis, but it is a struggle for democracy and dignity. "Ukraine's victory," he noted, "is of vital importance for Europe and for the safeguarding of the European way of life, where law exceeds and prevails over force. He pointed out that Sweden's support to Ukraine already amounts to 1.4 billion, underlining that it is crucial to start working, already from today, to find solutions for the reconstruction of Ukraine along with all the international partners.  

At last, Mr Borgstam expressed the admiration and the emotion of the Swedish people for the generous and far-reaching response of the Greek people and the Greek government to the tragedy that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria.

 

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