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Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the implementation of the Strategic Compass, and the Arctic on the agenda when the Riksdag hosts the Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy

Published 2 March | On 2–3 March, the Swedish Parliament will host the Interparliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP). During the conference, 250 participants will meet to discuss foreign, security and defence policy.

The Interparliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy is being held within the framework of the Riksdag’s part of the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers – the parliamentary dimension. It is one of the recurring conferences arranged every six months by the parliament of the country holding the Presidency and/or the European Parliament.

European security and common foreign and defence policy

THe agenda includes opportunities and challenges for the implementation of the EU Strategic Compass for security and defence policy. The conference will be led by Aaron Emilsson (Sweden Democrats), who is the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

“When the Riksdag is now hosting the conference, three main themes will be focused on. The first is Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which when the conference is taking place will have been going on for over a year”, says Aron Emilsson (Sweden Democrats), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

“The second theme is the EU Strategic Compass, which will guide EU security and defence policy during the coming years. The third theme is the Arctic,” says Kenneth G Forslund (Social Democratic Party), Committee on Defence and First Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag.

The Riksdag to arrange eight conferences during the EU Presidency

Sweden is holding the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in January–June 2023. Within the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Presidency, the Riksdag is arranging eight conferences and meetings during this period, in which members of the national parliaments of the EU member states and of the European Parliament participate and discuss various matters. The conferences are part of continuing cooperation between the parliaments, also known as interparliamentary cooperation in the EU.

Webcasts

Broadcasts from the conferences can be followed live and on demand via the Riksdag webcast service on 2 and 3 March. The broadcast will start at 2 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. on Friday.

Webcasts

More information

Contact person for the media

  • Martin Brothén, Head of Secretariat, telephone: +46 8 786 54 49, email: martin.brothen@riksdagen.se
  • Lars Franzén, Head of Secretariat, telephone: +46 8 786 40 94, email: lars.franzen@riksdagen.se
  • The Riksdag Administration Press Service: +46 8 786 62 00
  • Twitter: @parleu2023se