|
|
Single Market Forum (SIMFO)
Conference / Colloquium / Seminar
2 May 2023
Single Market Forum (SIMFO)
Practical information
Date
2 May 2023
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
On 2 May, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU will hold the Single Market Forum (SIMFO) in Stockholm together with the European Commission. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton will co-host the conference.
SIMFO is an annual conference organised jointly by the country holding the Presidency and the European Commission, aiming to highlight and discuss current issues related to the EU single market.
The EU single market is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. SIMFO will highlight this occasion during the Swedish Presidency, inviting people to join in a forward-looking and visionary discussion about the future single market. Central themes will include the digital single market, standardisation and skills supply.
For more information about the EU single market’s anniversary: 30th anniversary
Programme in brief
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will open the conference, followed by a high-level panel moderated by Charlotte Andersdotter, Head of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s EU Office in Brussels.
The panel will comprise:Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market
Anna Cavazzini, Member of European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine (TBC)
Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope
Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and of Investor AB
Three parallel afternoon sessions will focus on the digital single market, standardisation and skills supply:Towards a future-proof digital single market
Enhancing European competitiveness through standardisation policy
Skills enabling the green transition
You can also follow the conference online. More information about the programme and the video link is available here: Single Market Forum Conference (SIMFO) (wmhproject.events)
Press conference with Johan Forssell and Thierry Breton
On 2 May at 11.30–12.00, Minister for Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton will hold a joint press conference in connection with the Single Market Forum (SIMFO).
Journalists who have registered in advance may attend in person at Grand Hôtel in Stockholm. Advance registration by 1 May at 12.00 is required.
Accreditation for the press conferenceRegister on the SIMFO accreditation page
- Enter ‘journalist’ in the field Title
- Leave all voluntary fields empty
- Select the first break-out session on the second page
Email buster.mirow.emitslof@gov.se once you have registered.
If you have questions about the accreditation process, contact Press Information Officer Buster Mirow Emitslöf (see below).
You can also follow the press conference live on the SIMFO website.
Several crucial climate-related victories during Swedish Presidency Press release 27 April 202312:10 Several crucial climate-related victories during Swedish Presidency  © Johannes Frandsen/Government OfficesIn recent weeks, several important components of the EU’s Fit for 55 climate package have been negotiated under Sweden’s leadership. Fit for 55 is an extensive legislative programme with rules on climate, energy and transport, which will enable EU Member States to reduce emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 and become climate-neutral by 2050. Fit for 55 was presented by the European Commission in July 2021. Since then, the Council and the European Parliament have made intensive efforts to negotiate the climate package. In recent weeks, several important negotiations on acts have concluded under the leadership of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Fit for 55 provides European industry with long-term conditions to lead with green solutions, which will increase Europe’s global competitiveness. The measures also provide additional support in reducing Europe’s dependence on fossil energy.Jessika RoswallMinister for EU Affairs In the first half of the year, under the leadership of the Swedish Presidency, the Council has reached preliminary agreements with the Parliament on renewable energy, energy efficiency, expansion of charging infrastructure, sustainable maritime fuels and, most recently, sustainable air transport fuels. Important components of the package:expanded emissions trading to encompass new sectors and tightening of the EU’s current emissions trading system; increased use of renewable energy sources; increased energy efficiency; faster roll-out of low-carbon modes of transport and associated infrastructure and fuels; a carbon border adjustment mechanism to prevent carbon leakage; tools to protect and expand natural carbon sinks. Read more: Fit for 55 – what’s included in the package and how does it work? Certain legislation remains to be negotiated, particularly the EU Energy Tax Directive, which requires unanimity among Member States. These efforts are ongoing, as are technical and legal adjustments ahead of the final adoption of the agreement. Sweden will do as much as possible before handing over the work on 1 July to the incoming Spanish Presidency. Read more‘Fit for 55’ – the EU’s plan to accelerate the climate transition The priorities of the Swedish Presidency
|
EU-Africa relations on top of the agenda in Addis Ababa
Press release
27 April 20238:20
EU-Africa relations on top of the agenda in Addis Ababa
The Africa Directors of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of EU member states are set to arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a two-day visit on the 27-28 of April. The visit takes place amidst violent clashes in neighbouring Sudan, and comes just days after EU Foreign Ministers adopted conclusions stressing the EU’s engagement to support the ongoing peace process in Ethiopia.
During the two-day high-level working visit, discussions will focus on three thematic issues: EU-Ethiopia relations, regional Horn of Africa-affairs with a specific focus on the latest developments in Sudan and the EU-AU partnership. EU Africa Directors will exchange with African interlocutors, including the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission, as well as hold internal discussions.
"This visit comes timely and at an important juncture in EU-Africa relations. The developments in Sudan are of great concern for us as well as our African partners, and close dialogue is crucial. The EU has repeatedly called for an immediate and sustained cessation of hostilities and return to a political process towards a civilian-led government. Together with my EU colleagues, I also look forward to discussions with our Ethiopian partners, says Irina Schoulgin Nyoni", Africa Director at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
This past Monday, EU Foreign Ministers adopted Council conclusions reiterating that the EU looks forward to a gradual normalisation of relations following the agreement on permanent cessation of hostilities related to the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
The discussions with the African Union Commission follows the Summit between African and EU-leaders in Brussels in February 2022. At the Summit, EU and AU Heads of States and Government committed to a joint vision for a renewed partnership to build a common future, as closest partners and neighbours.
The African Union and its member states are important partners in promoting democratic development, upholding the rules-based international order and tackling global challenges. Since the Summit last year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has severely impacted the whole world, including Africa. As a steadfast partner, the EU and its member states have among other things provided around 9 billion euros until 2024 for food security in Africa.
