Swedish Presidency of the European Union 2009

Fredrik Reindelt is chairing the Council meeting for the last time. Photo: Gunnar Seijbold/ Regeringskansliet, Sweden

The European Council meeting in Brussels on 10-11 December adopted a new multi-annual programme for the years 2010-2014, the Stockholm Programme, which will allow for the further development of an area of freedom, security and justice. The Council invited the Commission to present an Action Plan for implementing the Stockholm Programme, to be adopted at the latest in June 2010, and to submit a midterm review before June 2012.

In implementing the Stockholm Programme, the Council considers that the priority for the coming years should be to focus on the interests and needs of the citizens and other persons for whom the EU has a responsibility. According to the Council conclusions, the challenge lies on ensuring respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and integrity while guaranteeing security in Europe. Furthermore, it is of paramount importance that law enforcement measures and measures to safeguard individual rights, the rule of law and international protection rules are coherent and mutually reinforcing. The Stockholm programme focuses on the priorities set out below.

Promoting citizenship and fundamental rights

European citizenship must become a tangible reality. The area of freedom, security and justice must above all be a single area in which fundamental rights are protected. The enlargement of the Schengen area must continue. Respect for the human person and human dignity and for the other rights set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights are core values. For example, the exercise of these freedoms and citizens’ privacy must be preserved beyond national borders, especially by protecting personal data. Allowance must be made for the special needs of vulnerable people, and European citizens and others must be able to exercise their specific rights to the full within the European Union and even, where relevant, outside the Union.

A Europe of law and justice

The achievement of a European area of justice must be consolidated so as to move beyond the current fragmentation. Priority should be given to mechanisms that facilitate access to justice, so that people can enforce their rights throughout the Union. Cooperation between public professionals and their training should also be improved, and resources should be mobilised to eliminate barriers to the recognition of legal decisions in other Member States.

A Europe that protects

An internal security strategy should be developed in order to further improve security in the Union and thus protect the lives and safety of European citizens and tackle organised crime, terrorism and other threats. The strategy should be aimed at strengthening cooperation in law enforcement, border management, civil protection, disaster management as well as judicial cooperation in criminal matters in order to make Europe more secure. Moreover, the European Union needs to base its work on solidarity between Member States and make full use of Article 222 TFEU.

Access to Europe in a globalised world

Access to Europe for persons recognized as having a legitimate interest to access EU territory has to be made more effective and efficient. At the same time, the Union and its Member States have to guarantee security for its citizens. Integrated border management and visa policies should be construed to serve these goals.

A Europe of responsibility, solidarity and partnership in migration and asylum matters

The development of a forward-looking and comprehensive European migration policy, based on solidarity and responsibility, remains a key policy objective for the European Union. Effective implementation of all relevant legal instruments needs to be undertaken and full use should be made of relevant Agencies and Offices operating in this field. Well-managed migration can be beneficial to all stakeholders. The European Pact on Immigration and Asylum provides a clear basis for further development in this field. Europe will need a flexible policy which is responsive to the priorities and needs of Member States and enables migrants to take full advantage of their potential. The objective to establish a common asylum system in 2012 remains and people in need of protection must be ensured access to legally safe and efficient asylum procedures. Moreover, in order to maintain credible and sustainable immigration and asylum systems in the EU, it is necessary to prevent, control and combat illegal migration as the EU faces an increasing pressure from illegal migration flows and particularly the Member States at its external borders, including at its Southern borders, in line with the conclusions of the European Council in October 2009.

The role of Europe in a globalised world – the external dimension

The importance of the external dimension of the EU’s policy in the area of freedom, security and justice underlines the need for increased integration of these policies into the general policies of the European Union. The external dimension is essential to address the key challenges we face and in providing greater opportunities for EU citizens to work and do business with countries across the world. The external dimension of Freedom, Security and Justice is crucial to the successful implementation of the objectives of this programme and should in particular be taken into account in, and be fully coherent with, all other aspects of EU foreign policy.

The European Council meeting was the last of its kind for the Swedish EU Presidency, and the last one to be chaired by the rotating Presidency, as from now on the permanent President Herman Van Rompuy will chair the meetings, under the new Lisbon Treaty.

European Council meeting 10-11 December 2009 Conclusions

The Swedish Presidency Press Release on the European Council meeting:

Swedish Presidency website on the Stockholm Programme

The Stockholm Programme, 2 December 2009 (in English)