“The EU Swedish Presidency and its implications to the enlargement process of Western Balkans”. Policy Brief

Swedish EU Presidency and impact in the enlargement process
Sweden took over the Presidency of the European Union on 1 July 2009 and will hold it until December this year. During 2010, the EU Presidency will be held by Spain and Belgium. Due to many reasons and also coinciding with the elections for the European institutions and summer recess, it can be said that the Swedish Presidency, has a relatively shorter list of priorities for less than a six month period. With Sweden at the helm, the EU has to take on challenges related to changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty, global economic crisis, and strengthening of its ever increasing role in the international arena. The approval given to the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish citizens is a good sign and does not only count for the success of Swedish Presidency, but also marks the beginning of a new phase: the further strengthening of the EU. The so long debated EU enlargement process is expected to proceed easier and certainly, Croatia and Iceland followed by the Western Balkan countries will be the main beneficiaries of this new reality.