The first three months of Sweden’s presidency of the Council of the European Union have passed.
What do you know about Sweden? Do you know what makes it special?
Ambassador Dag Hartelius represents Sweden in Slovenia.
What are the three key goals Sweden wants to achieve?
Firstly is the security related to the war in Ukraine.
We want to make sure that European countries remain united and that they continue to help Ukraine.
Ukrainians need our support today and in the future.
Those who committed war crimes must be held accountable for their actions.

The strength of the economy is also important. Whether it’s schools, hospitals, employee wages, or the environment – everything depends on the economy.
Thirdly, we need to take care of welfare.
Therefore, this spring we will talk about green transport, digital solutions, and ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
We want a climate-friendly Europe.
How difficult is it to make decisions that concern such a large number of countries and people?
Usually the European Commission prepares a proposal for a new law or policy. The member states then discuss it.
Once they have agreed, the country holding the presidency – currently Sweden, presents the proposal to the members of the European Parliament.
If everyone thinks alike, it’s easy to come to an agreement.
But more often than not, many people have many different questions and opinions, so politicians need quite a bit of time to come to an agreement.
Usually, however, the desire to reach an agreement simmers in the background. Politicians realize that it is easier to face challenges if we work together.
Climate, for example, knows no boundaries. We cannot solve problems without cooperation. It’s that simple.
What do Swedish children say is important to them?
According to last year’s survey, in which children aged 13 to 17 took part, the most important topics are: schooling and education, climate, law and justice, and health.
Points to Consider
- What do you know about Sweden?
- Which topics that are important to Swedish children are important to you?
- Which animals live in Sweden?
***
The original version of this article was published on April 13th.
