As we enter the second week of parliamentary work, meetings are already in full swing and committees have now settled and are raring to go. Sweden took over the Presidency of the EU in July and the agenda of the Swedes highlights several important points that are most relevant to Malta. This Presidency pinpoints six main areas of activity, five of which are of direct relevance to our country.
The economy and employment are on top of the agenda as the EU tries to negotiate its way out of the economic crisis that has hit Europe and that has sent many reeling. The word cooperation is written in bold letters as it is the key that will lead us to a stronger and more effective Europe by applying the concept of burden sharing and moving forward as one union. We must aim to emerge from this crisis in a stronger position and, in order to achieve this, all member states are to work jointly to recover the lost ground and ensure economic growth and minimal job losses.
With the knowledge that climate change will have an enormous impact on societies, individuals and the upcoming generations, the Swedish Presidency will be looking to pursue global climate efforts to adopt a new climate agreement. This can only be achieved by roping in the other key players, that is the United States, Japan and Asia as a whole. The basis for agreement is there but we have to be careful not to get lost in detail and miss the boat.
Perhaps one of the most important points on the agenda is the establishment of a more efficient asylum and migration policy. Even though Sweden is in the north of Europe and Malta is the southern-most country, many of the irregular immigration problems that the Scandinavians face are very much the same as those of their Mediterranean counterparts.
Legal certainty and transparency are the two tools the Swedes are counting on in order to combat this ever-growing phenomenon. The Presidency will be seeking to deepen the dialogue and cooperation with countries outside the EU in order to counteract all illegality and, at the same time, not undermine those who are genuinely seeking asylum. The Presidency will be also working on a resettlement exercise. The Stockholm programme is aimed to develop cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs not only where illegal immigration is concerned but also to combat international crime, focusing mainly on the rights of both the victim of the crime and also of the suspected perpetrators.
Since its inception in the 1950s, the European Union was a front-runner to promote peace and economic development in Europe. Now, 50 years later, its role is even more important as its work is no longer confined to Europe but its voice is rapidly becoming stronger worldwide through dialogue and negotiation.
In its new role, the EU will promote peace, economic development and democracy throughout the world. A clear call is made for closer relations with neighbouring countries, particularly those in the Mediterranean and the establishment of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership are definitely positive steps in this regard. All this, together with trans-Atlantic relations, relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan and the emerging markets of Asia, mark the ever-increasing role of the EU as a major world player. The Swedish Presidency will also continue monitoring the enlargement process and will be working to find a lasting solution for the Cyprus issue as this is one of the major stumbling blocks for Turkey's accession together with the human rights issue. It will also seek closer relations with the European Parliament on these important matters and I am sure that Parliament will only be too willing to oblige.
The task that the Swedes are undertaking is a huge and difficult one but, as the Minister for EU Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, said: "Now it is Sweden's turn to wear the captain's armband. Our ambition is to achieve results on a range of issues with the whole of Europe's best interests in mind. We will do this via an open and efficient Presidency that focuses on the citizens".
My previous experience with Swedish MEPs was a positive one and I know they can deliver once again. Let's just hope they don't deliver too much at Ta' Qali against Malta in the World Cup qualifier next Wednesday though!
Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.
david.casa@europarl.europa.eu, www.davidcasa.eu