Transport, Telecommunications and Energy

Globalisation calls for more and new sustainable transport solutions. A sustainable, eco-efficient transport system will be a central issue during the Swedish presidency.

Europe needs a transport system where individual modes of transport are interlinked and work together. We need a single coherent and efficient transport system – not 27 different ones! By ensuring that the various components of the transport system work together more effectively we can contribute to a reduction in climate impact. The presidency will prioritise work relating to the development of future transport policy.
 

• A transport policy for the future

The information society is a crucial element in Europe’s growth and competitiveness. IT can also help Europe develop into a leading knowledge-based economy.

The EU needs a future-oriented regulatory framework for electronic communication. A decision on the Telecommunications Package is likely to be taken jointly by the European Council and the European Parliament during the presidency.

The European Commission’s action plan, i2010, has formed the basis of a common European IT policy. The presidency will contribute to ongoing work on a strategy for promoting the development of an information society after 2010.

Other important issues include efforts to make better use of the frequency range within the framework of the Baltic Strategy, the ‘digital divide’ and the question of a common broadband strategy.
 

Energy-related issues will continue to have high priority, particularly in view of ongoing international climate negotiations. A transition to an eco-efficient European economy is essential to European competitiveness, security of supply and the environment.

Council work during the Swedish presidency will be devoted in large part to the Second Strategic Energy Review, an action plan for energy security and energy solidarity, and to the package of initiatives on security of energy supply presented by the Commission in November 2008 and endorsed by the Council in the spring of 2009. The focus in the coming autumn will be on the energy efficiency aspects of the package and the significance of climate measures for secure energy supply.
 

• Sustainable energy policy