BARONESS GLENYS KINNOCK, UK'S NEW MINISTER FOR EUROPE, WELCOMES SWEDEN'S NEW EU PRESIDENCY AS IT BEGINS SIX-MONTHS LEADERSHIP DURING WORLD ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRISIS AND PREPARES FOR CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: 03/07/2009 (MaximsNews Network)

Responsibilities:

European Union

Europe, including Balkans, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova

Russia, South Caucasus, Central Asia

NATO

OSCE and Council of Europe

FCO finance

Representing Chris Bryant’s business in the Lords (except Public Diplomacy)

UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 03 July 2009 - Baroness Glenys Kinnock, the new United Kingdom Minister for Europe, addressed a reception in London on Wednesday to welcome the beginning of Sweden's six-month presidency of the European Union as the alliance faces the worldwide economic and financial crisis and prepares for the meetings in Copenhagen to deal with global climate change. Sweden's ambassador to the United Kingdom were in attendance along with the Lord Mayor of London. Here is the full-text of her remarks (check against delivery):

"My Lord Mayor, Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Aldermen, Sheriff, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am delighted to be here to celebrate the beginning of Sweden’s Presidency of the EU. I am sure that I speak for many – in the UK, across the rest of the EU, and in the wider world – when I say how delighted I am that Sweden will be at the helm for the next critical six months for the Union.

I became a Member of the European Parliament in 1994, just months before Sweden joined the EU, and I have had the good fortune to work with a great many Swedish colleagues over the years.

I therefore have a huge respect for the constructive and innovative role that Sweden plays in the EU and I know that this Presidency will apply the Swedish characteristics of candour, professionalism, a dedication to human rights and commitment to fulfilling practical objectives I have come to appreciate.

I know that because I have already seen it. In Sweden’s impressive development record as the first Member State to reach the 0.7% target of GDP, in its historical commitment to peace-keeping and the rule of law, and in its work to maintain momentum on enlargement.

Big issues

No one will be surprised of course by the fact that the Presidency will not shy away from tackling, head-on, the biggest challenges.

Their commitment to the Lisbon Agenda for competitiveness and employment will reinforce that coordinated action already taken to steer Europe through the economic downturn.

Developing skills, investing in research and development and greening the economy are the best ways to ensure that the EU is well placed to spur and exploit the up-turn as it develops.

It will also be important to ensure that the right EU financing supervisory framework is put in place to reduce the risk of similar problems occurring.

And we particularly need to do all we can to secure the advantage of being the innovators in green production technologies; a sector which can out-grow aerospace and pharmaceuticals in the coming decade.

Sweden, the country of origin of the catalytic converter and other great innovations can be relied upon to take a lead.

International efforts on climate change will also come to a climax this year.

Indeed the responsibility and the expectation of the Swedish Presidency are very challenging. The EU must take coordinated action to secure the essential agreement in Copenhagen. The challenges – sources of funding, effective governance arrangements, and burden-sharing – make a very steep climb with only 22 weeks to the Summit.

Yet, as a country which has already taken the lead in this field, and was the first to require sustainability reports from state-owned companies, I feel confident that Sweden will take the lead in the Presidency during this vital period.

Lord Mayor, Your Royal Highness, Excellencies, Aldermen, Sheriff, Ladies and Gentlemen, no sensible person doubts the scale of the challenges facing us over the next six months in the EU, and in the wider world. But I am confident that Sweden will not be daunted by those demands, and the UK government looks forward with enthusiasm to working with, and supporting, the Swedish Presidency over the months ahead.

Your last Presidency was described as a 'calm success'. This time the success will be even greater and the calm will be what my grandchildren would describe as 'really cool'. The British government and the people of Britain wish you well."

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