Sweden2023.eu Parliamentary Dimension

The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The parliamentary dimension

Conferences

Sweden held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2023. During the six months that Sweden held the Presidency, the Riksdag organised eight conferences where members and officials from the national parliaments of the EU member states and the European Parliament took part and discussed various matters.

People seated around a table at a conference – illustration

The Riksdag's part of the EU presidency

The national parliaments' part of the proceedings of an EU presidency is usually referred to as the parliamentary dimension of the presidency.

During the six months that Sweden held the Presidency, the Riksdag organised five recurring EU conferences which are included in the inter-parliamentary cooperation in the EU. One of the conferences was organised in collaboration with the European Parliament.

In addition, the Riksdag organised three thematic conferences at which it decided the structure and themes itself.

Further information about the conferences

Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC

29–30 january

COSAC is a conference for meetings between the European Parliament and the special EU bodies of the national parliaments, which in Sweden is the Committee on EU Affairs. During the COSAC meetings, current EU issues and matters concerning the role of national parliaments in the EU cooperation were be discussed. The objective of the Meeting of the Chairpersons was to prepare for the Plenary Meeting of COSAC which took place in May. The Meeting of the Chairpersons was held in the Riksdag’s Former Second Chamber on 29–30 January.

Meeting of the  Chairpersons of COSAC

Conference on circular bioeconomy: The pathway to an innovative, resource efficient and competitive Europe

20 february (online)

The Committee on Environment and Agriculture held a conference on the theme of circular bioeconomy as the pathway to an innovative, resource efficient and competitive Europe. The conference was conducted online on 20 February.

Conference on circular bioeconomy: The pathway to an innovative, resource efficient and competitive Europe

Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU - SECG

27–28 February

The Inter-parliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU, known as the SECG Conference, contributes to the exchange of information and experience on how the EU’s work with economic policy is carried out. The Riksdag co-organised the conference, which was held in Brussels on 27–28 February.

Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU - SECG

Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy - CFSP/CSDP

2–3 march

The Inter-parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy, also known as the CFSP/CSDP, enables the exchange of information and experience between parliaments regarding the EU's common foreign and security policy and common security and defence policy. The conference was held in the Riksdag's Chamber on 2–3 March.

Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy - CFSP/CSDP

Meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol – JPSG Europol

26–27 march

The Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, is also referred to as JPSG Europol. The JPSG scrutinises how Europol performs its duties. The conference was held on 26–27 March in the Riksdag's Former Second Chamber.

Meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol – JPSG Europol

Conference on challenges and opportunities for the EU’s future energy supply

23–24 april

The Committee on Industry and Trade organised a conference on the theme “Challenges and opportunities for the EU’s future energy supply”. The conference was held in the Riksdag Former Second Chamber on 23–24 April.

Conference on challenges and opportunities for the EU’s future energy supply

Plenary Meeting of COSAC

14–16 may

COSAC is a conference for meetings between the European Parliament and the special EU bodies of the national parliaments, which in Sweden is the Committee on EU Affairs. During the COSAC meetings, current EU issues and matters concerning the role of national parliaments in the EU cooperation was discussed. A Plenary Meeting of COSAC was held in the Riksdag's Chamber on 14–16 May.

Plenary Meeting of COSAC

Conference on democracy in Europe

18–19 juni

The Committee on the Constitution hosted a conference on the theme "Democracy in Europe". The conference was held in the Riksdag's Former Second Chamber on 18–19 June.

Conference on democracy in Europe