Åsa Torstensson

2010

Press release 30 September 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Swedish-American cooperation for sustainable development to be expanded Today, the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications signed a cooperation agreement with the United States on long-term sustainable transport. The agreement was signed at the US Department of Transportation in Washington DC as a part of the two countries' joint efforts for sustainable development.

The aim of this cooperation is for the United States and Sweden to engage in a mutual exchange of experience and transfer knowledge within areas such as road safety, urban transport, fossil-free vehicles and access within the transport system.

"The United States and Sweden have a long tradition of bilateral cooperation and in recent years issues concerning sustainable development have taken on an increasingly prominent role in these relations. The transport industry has been one of the contributing factors to climate change, but we are now ensuring, step by step, that it also becomes a natural part of the solution," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The agreement was signed at the US Department of Transportation by Ms Torstensson's State Secretary Leif Zetterberg and his US colleague John D. Porcari.

"Infrastructure and transport are not just about how many kilometres of railway or how many bridges are built each year. They are also about creating a coherent and long-term sustainable system that meets the expectations placed on us by an increasingly globalised world. But Sweden cannot do this work alone - this is why we are pleased to welcome this deepened cooperation with the United States," says Mr Zetterberg.

Contact Sandra Baqirjazid Press Officer Maria Anstett-Andersson Political Adviser to Åsa Torstensson email

Press release 09 September 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Sulphur contents discussed at meeting of transport ministers in Antwerp At the informal meeting of transport ministers in Antwerp (15-16 September), State Secretary Leif Zetterberg today presented Sweden's views and stressed the importance of having uniform sulphur contents in marine fuels throughout Europe.

"If the sulphur content of marine fuels is reduced to 0.1 per cent, the Baltic countries will suffer considerable price increases. This would affect Swedish basic industries, among others, and this is not a reasonable alternative," says Mr Zetterberg.

In autumn 2008, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted tighter limits on the sulphur content of marine fuel - both at global level and in sulphur emission control areas (SECAs). These include the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel. Under the new regulations, from 2015 the sulphur content of marine fuels used in SECAs will be reduced to 0.1 per cent by weight. At global level, from 2020 the maximum permissible sulphur content of marine fuel will be reduced to 0.5 per cent by weight. This decision means that different regulations will apply in different parts of Europe.

One of the issues on the agenda at the meeting in Antwerp is possible future policies that could ensure reduced environmental impact from short sea shipping and inland waterways, without putting shipping at a disadvantage compared to other modes of transport.

"It is important that future guidelines ensure an effective, robust and cohesive European transport system. Such a system should be based on harmonised rules that promote competition on equal terms between different modes of transport and different parts of Europe," says Mr Zetterberg.

Contact Henrik Hansson Political Adviser to Åsa Torstensson

Press release 08 July 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications IT for a greener administration Today, the Government adopted 'IT for a greener administration - IT agenda for the environment 2010-2015'. The agenda contains objectives and recommendations in the areas of IT acquisition, IT operation and use, and travel- free meetings. The aim of the agenda is for environmentally sound IT to be used to reduce the state's impact on the environment.

"All policy areas have to help us achieve our ambitious climate goals, including IT policy. IT is above all an important aid in achieving efficiency gains in areas such as energy, construction and transport. The public sector can and should be a role model in the use of energy-efficient IT in its environmental work," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The agenda is primarily targeted at the agencies that come under the Environmental Management Ordinance and thus present annual reports on their environmental work to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the relevant ministries. The Government is now urging these agencies to also include IT-specific environmental measures in these reports. Other agencies and organisations are also urged to follow the Government's recommendations.

In connection with the adoption of the agenda, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is also being instructed to develop indicators to measure compliance with the agenda. Following up and measuring results is important so as to be able to monitor developments and take further environmental measures in the area of IT where necessary.

'IT for a greener administration - IT agenda for the environment 2010-2015' is available (in Swedish) at: www.regeringen.se/gronit

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Sofia Holmgren Division for IT Policy +46 8 405 37 47 +46 70 313 53 14

Press release 24 June 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Haparanda Declaration on EU agenda At a Council meeting held in Luxembourg today, Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson presented the Haparanda Declaration to the EU transport ministers.

"At last week's Nordic/Baltic ministerial meeting in Haparanda, we agreed on a declaration on continued development of transport within the Northern Dimension. The EU is an important part of these efforts and the fact that I was given an opportunity to present the Haparanda Declaration at today's Council meeting was therefore a very good sign. The response I received from the other ministers was very positive," says Ms Torstensson.

Ms Torstensson also had a meeting in Luxembourg about the Haparanda Declaration with the European Transport Commissioner, Siim Kallas.

"With Commissioner Kallas, I emphasised the importance of close cooperation with the European Commission to continue to develop the Northern Dimension and thereby also contribute to development in the rest of Europe. He was very interested in our work and I believe that the work surrounding the Haparanda Declaration will continue to be positive," says Ms Torstensson.

Ministers and other delegates from the Baltic region and from China gathered in Haparanda on 16-17 June to discuss how the region can continue to work together in the transport area to help boost growth both in the region and in the EU as a whole.

"Around 90 per cent of total EU production of iron ore and a substantial proportion of total EU production of forestry-related products come from the Barents region. These are resources from the Baltic region that have a decisive impact on growth throughout Europe," says Ms Torstensson.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson

Press release 24 June 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Passenger rights still apply with ash cloud At today's Transport Council in Luxembourg, Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson stressed the importance of continuing to apply passenger rights in circumstances such as those caused by the ash cloud.

"If we want to get people to travel using public transport, they need to be sure that their rights will apply even when there are disruptions due to the ash cloud or similar situations. It is not acceptable that stranded travellers are denied their right to compensation. For this reason, I today expressed my own and the Government's view that passengers should be compensated for delays and cancellations in their travel plans regardless of the cause," says Ms Torstensson.

Demands have been expressed in the public debate that the EU regulation concerning passenger rights should not apply in situations such as those caused by the ash cloud. When the EU transport ministers discussed the effects of the ash cloud at today's meeting, Ms Torstensson put forward Sweden's view on the matter.

"To avoid any uncertainty as to whether passenger rights apply, I drew attention today to the importance of revising the Passenger Rights Regulation to make the liability to pay compensation clear," says Ms Torstensson.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson

Press release 19 May 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications European Commission goes with Swedish proposal on a Digital Agenda for Europe Today the European Commission adopted a Digital Agenda for Europe, a five-year programme the aims of which include increasing access to ICT services in society and enhancing trust and security for those using these services. Sweden has been a driving force in developing the proposal.

"I am pleased that people have listened to what we - ICT users, enterprises and politicians - discussed in the context of our Presidency conference in Visby in November last year. In the Visby Declaration, we underlined the importance of a horizontal approach to IT policy, the need for increased access, security for users and ICT as an important part of creating sustainable and green growth," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

Ambitious targets The Commission's proposal contains measures to support continued digitisation in many areas of society and provide conditions that enable more EU citizens to access high-capacity broadband.

The targets that have been set include that the entire population of the European Union will have access to broadband of 30 Mbps or above by 2020 and that half of the population will then subscribe to a broadband connection of 100 Mbps or higher.

"These are very ambitious targets," says Ms Torstensson, "and I am pleased that the Commission has broadened the ambition from just applying to access to infrastructure so that it now also includes people's use of the infrastructure. This takes the policy into a new era."

Increased climate awareness The proposal also specifies targets for public use of the Internet, use of eCommerce and public eServices.

At their meeting on 31 May, the ministers of the Member States will discuss the Commission's proposal. The intention is to take a decision on the final formulation of the proposal during the Belgian Presidency this autumn.

"The measures indicated by the Commission will enable us to provide a real boost to the EU economy as well as giving us a more climate-aware and modern IT policy," concludes Ms Torstensson.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Lena Carlsson Special Adviser +46 8 405 82 18

Press release 06 May 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Åsa Torstensson to visit Haparanda and Pajala On Friday 7 May, Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson will visit Haparanda and Pajala. The purpose of the visit is to meet representatives of the two municipalities and the business community and to prepare for the meeting of transport ministers in Haparanda in June. Ms Torstensson will also visit the railway and mining district in Pajala.

Programme points: Åsa Torstensson meets representatives of IKEA and Polarica. Time: 9.30 Related Place: IKEA, Norrskensvägen 2, Haparanda Transport and infrastructure

Åsa Torstensson holds a press conference with the Mayor of Haparanda Municipality, Sven-Erik Bucht. Time: 11.00-12.00 Place: Sverigefinska folkhögskolan, Torget 3, Haparanda External links Barents Reunion website The press meeting will be webcast via the Barents Reunion website and Haparanda City website. Simultaneous Haparanda City website interpretation of the webcast will be offered in Finnish and Russian.

Åsda Torstensson holds a press meeting at Pajala Airport with County Governor Per-Ola Eriksson and Mayor Bengt Niska. Time: 15.15 Place: Pajala Airport, Pajala

Pajala Municipality and Northland Resources provide a guided bus tour to the railway and mining district, with information about developments in Pajala. Time: approximately 15.40-18.00 Place: Departure from Pajala Airport

Media representatives are cordially invited to participate in all the day's events. Please notify Louise Andersson, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, tel. +46 70 308 63 43, if you wish to attend.

Contact Local contact: Maria Anstett-Andersson Chief of Staff +46 76 110 59 97

Press release 05 May 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications State Secretary Leif Zetterberg to visit China State Secretary Leif Zetterberg is travelling to China on 5 May to visit Shanghai and Peking. The programme includes a visit to the newly opened World Expo in Shanghai and participation at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sweden and China, which will be held in the Swedish Pavilion.

Mr Zetterberg will also visit the city of Wuxi to receive information about the area that is to be transformed into the new eco-city, Taihu New City, which is to be given a strong Swedish-Chinese character.

He will also meet Chinese Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun to discuss, among other things, participation at the meeting of transport ministers in Haparanda in June this year, where one of the main issues will be developing northern Europe into a transport hub between Asia, Europe and North America.

The programme also includes meetings at the Beijing offices of Ericsson and car maker BAIC, and with representatives of Swedish enterprises in China.

Contact Maria Anstett-Andersson Chief of Staff +46 76 110 59 97

Press release 22 April 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications More train operators given access to rail network in response to disruptions in air traffic In response to the disruptions in air traffic due to the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland, the Government decided today to enable the Swedish Transport Administration to allow train operators to use lines to which SJ (Swedish Railways) has previously had exclusive rights. This will make it possible to increase passenger capacity, primarily between major towns and cities.

"It is important that all modes of transport can be used as effectively as possible and we therefore decided today that more train operators can make use of the rail network. This decision applies from today," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The Government is conducting a close dialogue with the aviation industry in view of its financial situation, in an attempt to identify measures that can support the industry in these difficult circumstances.

The EU is also working on guidelines for any measures Member States may draw up to support the aviation sector. The Government is actively involved in this process and is in dialogue with the European Commission on the issue, as joint European action is important in this situation.

One measure that the Government is actively examining to make the situation easier for airlines when traffic has returned to normal is to revise aviation charges.

Contact Henrik Hansson Political Adviser +46 8 405 16 53

Press release 08 April 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications New Public Transport Act with the focus on the passenger The Government today adopted a bill containing proposals aimed at encouraging more people to choose public transport. The new Public Transport Act will regulate both the responsibility of municipalities and county councils for regional public transport in a clearer manner than before, and the demands made on public transport companies.

"Public transport legislation that focuses on people's travel, makes commuting to work easier, allows people to choose among more employers and provides a broader span of jobseekers for companies means that we are continuing the development and competitiveness of all parts of the country, at the same time as reducing Related sensitivity to economic trends," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson. Transport and infrastructure The current municipal body in each county called the 'transport authority' will be replaced by a regional public transport agency. Strategic decisions on public transport, which are currently often taken by county transport companies, will now be taken at political level for greater transparency and better coordination with other community planning. Limited companies and individual municipalities will be able to undertake tasks of a more operative nature, such as procuring public transport.

Across county boundaries It will be easier for the regional public transport agency to organise transport across county boundaries in that the current county boundary restriction for transport authorities that organise passenger transport on railways will be abolished, and in that the public transport agency will be allowed to operate regular bus services without a special permit. This will facilitate the efforts of municipal authorities to expand the labour market regions in a sustainable manner.

"Municipalities and county councils should be able to ensure that inhabitants have access to good public transport in their everyday lives, including across county boundaries. Administrative boundaries are naturally of little interest to passengers. They want to be able to travel between different places easily, regardless of how many boundaries the journey crosses," says Ms Torstensson.

Enter into force January 2012 The authority of the regional public transport agencies is defined as applying to regional public transport, i.e. commuting to work and other day-to-day travel. This will protect interregional public transport - which is primarily to be commercial - from being sidelined by publically subsidised traffic.

Certain general requirements will be introduced for all public transport companies. These include an obligation to report when public transport operations begin or are discontinued, and an obligation to provide information on their traffic services to a common system for user information.

"Information is of vital importance. Passengers should be able to expect good, relevant and correct information," says Ms Torstensson.

It is proposed that the Public Transport Act, as well as the proposed amendments to current legislation, enter into force on 1 January 2012.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary +46 8 405 48 17 +46 70 593 08 77

Ulf Andersson Desk Officer +46 8 405 36 57

Press release 31 March 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications SEK 497 billion to strengthen infrastructure throughout the country The Government has decided to approve the intermodal national plan for the period 2010-2021 and set final financial allocations for intermodal county plans.

"Efficient communications are necessary for creating the conditions for economic growth and entrepreneurship throughout the country. They are also essential for people to be able to get to and from work, and for the normal routines of everyday life," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The initiative as a whole The initiative consists of SEK 417 billion in central government funding, and SEK 65 billion will be financed through congestion taxes, road tolls, EU funding and municipal contributions. According to the Swedish National Rail Administration, future revenue from rail charges may provide an additional contribution of some SEK 15 billion. This means that infrastructure measures costing at most SEK 497 billion could be implemented in 2010-2021.

SEK 217 billion from the central government allocation will go to investments, of which SEK 33 billion will go to counties and SEK 184 billion to investments in the national plan. SEK 200 billion will go to operation and maintenance measures, of which SEK 136 billion will go to roads and SEK 64 billion to railways.

Initiatives in the Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Skåne metropolitan regions The Alliance Government's decision makes a number of important investments in Sweden's metropolitan regions possible. For example, the Stockholm Agreement will be realised and will include infrastructure initiatives amounting to a total of some SEK 100 billion. Co-financing and the central government county allocations will provide about half of the resources. The most extensive initiatives in Stockholm are the Stockholm bypass (Förbifart Stockholm), the City Line (Citybanan), the Mälaren Line (Mälarbanan) and the E20 European Highway (Norra länken).

In Gothenburg, the Västsvenska paketet (West Swedish Package) was introduced as a result of the Government's decision. The initiative has a budget of some SEK 61 billion. This means the realisation of such projects as the West Link (Västlänken), the Marieholm Tunnel and development of public transport within the framework of the K2020 project. In Gothenburg, co-financing will amount to some SEK 17 billion of the investment costs.

In Skåne, infrastructure initiatives during the electoral period have primarily been aimed at improving and strengthening the Öresund region's central role as an engine for economic growth for southern Sweden. Citytunneln (city tunnel), which will be finished this autumn, is a project that has been successful for several reasons. Construction has progressed quickly and has kept to the set financial framework. Citytunneln and the ongoing renovation of Malmö Central Station will further improve accessibility for passengers and facilitate the flow of goods over the Öresund Bridge. Initiatives in Skåne amount to a total of SEK 19.3 billion.

Routes The Government especially singles out important routes for business transports and for commuting to work.

Räta Linjen (Route 56 between Norrköping and Gävle)

E22, initiatives from Norrköping to Malmö, over Kalmar

East Coast Line - Ådalen Line - Bothnia Line - (North Bothnia Line)

West Coast Line

Pågatåg Nordost (Pågatåg north east)

Harbour Line/Marieholm Bridge

Special measures for better flow of goods Some of the efforts to promote an efficient flow of goods and create good export and import opportunities for Swedish companies will be realised by bringing forward investments in the Harbour Line in Gothenburg, including the Marieholm Bridge, as mentioned above. Building a second track to the harbour area in Gothenburg over the Marieholm Bridge will increase redundancy and reduce vulnerability.

Other special projects that can be mentioned are Södertälje Lock, the fairways to Gävle Harbour and Norrköping Harbour, Tunadal Line to Sundsvall Harbour, and the electrification of tracks to several other harbours. There is a significant degree of co-financing involved in several of these projects. Within the framework of other measures, the Swedish Transport Administration, together with regional representatives and other stakeholders, will also prioritise financing and completing the Railway Inquiry on the south-east link as part of planning for and developing intermodal transport solutions between the railway system and shipping.

Private roads and bearing capacity A very large share of raw material transport begins on private roads and requires good bearing capacity.

There must be a prospering business sector throughout the country, and one requirement for this is private roads.

The Government will invest SEK 1 billion annually in the maintenance of private roads.

An intermodal planning process The planning of transport infrastructure measures for the period 2010-2021 has been characterised by an open and attractive working method, with local and regional participation in the work on a joint national plan for all types of traffic. Comments have been collected from meetings, hearings, workshops and seminars with representatives of the regions and of trade organisations and special interest groups. "Open house" activities have also been arranged for the public.

The Infrastructure Bill, Travel and transport in the future, provides the foundation and has been the policy document for action planning. The Government presented the Bill to the Riksdag in September 2008 and, following the adoption of the Bill by the Riksdag in December 2008, the Government decided to instruct traffic agencies and counties to carry out action planning.

The Swedish Road Administration, the Swedish National Rail Administration, the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Swedish Civil Aviation Authority were instructed to draw up a joint proposal for a national intermodal plan for the development of transport systems for the period 2010- 2021. At the same time, counties were instructed to draw up intermodal county plans for regional transport infrastructure for the period 2010- 2021.

The traffic agencies' proposal for a national plan was presented to the Government in September 2009 and then referred for comment. The Government received the comments and the counties' proposals referred for comment in November 2009. Alongside the planning process, intensive work was carried out on reviewing the potential for co-financing, which resulted in a considerable supplement to the central government financing framework of SEK 417 billion, thus making the implementation of a number of important measures possible.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Ingrid Eriksson Political Adviser to Åsa Torstensson +46 8 405 23 94 +46 70 612 23 94 email to Ingrid Eriksson Magnus Axelsson Desk Officer +46 8 405 12 33 email to Magnus Axelsson

Press release 24 March 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications A new strategy for Sweden land of adventure To enable more people to discover Sweden as a land of adventure the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications is today presenting a new initiative to coordinate the agencies concerned in development of new and old tourist destinations. The initiative entails setting up a partnership for businesses to contact when the want to get in touch with government agencies and private actors. The partnership's task will be to support the development of the tourist industry.

"It should be easy for small businesses to gain access to professional development, business networks, meeting places and help in finding funding to develop their operations," says Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson. Related Promotion of Sweden The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and Visit Sweden are instructed to lead the partnership, together with the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, the National Public Transport Agency, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the National Heritage Board, Vinnova (the Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems) and the new government agency the Swedish Transport Administration. They are to work with the industry and regions to promote partnerships for destination development.

"Sweden - the new culinary nation" "If small adventure businesses are to flourish there must be cooperation around a destination with well- functioning infrastructure, accessible transport services, good accommodation, good food and commerce in a unique and sustainable environment. We hope that the new partnership will enable tourist companies that want to grow to spend less time on administration and more time on developing their destinations," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The Alliance Government has previously done a lot to strengthen the tourist industry. More than 170 measures have been implemented to create a world class business climate; Visit Sweden has received an extra SEK 170 million during the electoral period for marketing Sweden as a tourist nation and the Alliance Government has adopted a strategy to strengthen developmental capacity in Sweden's rural areas. In addition a major initiative is being implemented called "Sweden - the new culinary nation".

Contact Håkan Lind Head of Press Service for Maud Olofsson +46 70 269 11 98 Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson +46 70 593 08 77

Catrin Mattsson Political Adviser to Maud Olofsson +46 76 773 22 83

Maria Anstett-Andersson Political Adviser to Åsa Torstensson +46 70 224 51 58

Press release 11 March 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Increased rights for Europe's bus and boat passengers Today, the EU Transport Ministers Council unanimously decided to adopt the regulation improving the rights of Europe's bus and boat passengers.

"I am extremely pleased that the Council of Ministers has been able to make a decision today that will clearly improve the rights of everyone travelling daily within the EU. This will make it easier and more attractive to use public transport and is therefore important, both for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and for Related simplifying people's everyday lives," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson. Transport and infrastructure The purpose of the regulation is to strengthen passenger rights regarding information, compensation and assistance when journeys are cancelled or delayed. It also gives passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility the right to information and assistance, and provides for the processing of complaints and supervision.

Today's decision was a result of the work carried out during the Swedish Presidency of the EU in the autumn of 2009. Similar decisions have previously been taken for air and train passengers.

The matter is now being referred to the European Parliament for processing.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary +46 8 405 48 17 +46 70 593 08 77

Karin Flygare Press Assistant +46 8 405 23 54

Press release 08 March 2010 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications New Public Transport Act that puts the passenger at the centre The Government has decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation containing suggestions aimed at encouraging more people to choose to use public transport. The new Public Transport Act will regulate both the responsibility of municipalities and county councils for regional public transport in a clearer manner than before, and the demands made on public transport companies.

"Public transport legislation that puts people's travel at the centre, makes commuting to work easier, allows people to choose among more employers and provides a broader span of jobseekers for companies means that we are continuing the development and competitiveness of all parts of the country, at the same time as reducing sensitivity to economic trends," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The current municipal body in each county, called the 'transport authority', will be replaced by a regional public transport agency. Strategic decisions on public transport, which are currently often taken by county traffic companies, will hereafter be taken at political level for greater transparency and better coordination with other community planning. Limited companies and individual municipalities will be able to conduct tasks of a more operative nature, such as procuring public transport.

A common system for user information The authority of the regional public transport agencies is defined as applying to regional public transport, i.e. commuting to work and other day-today travel. This will protect interregional public transport - which is primarily to be commercial - from being sidelined by publically subsidised traffic.

"Information is of vital importance. This has been made clear during the winter with many frustrated passengers who feel they received insufficient or incorrect information at times when such information was crucial. Passengers should be able to expect good, relevant and correct information, and thus commercial public transport companies will be obliged to provide information on their traffic services to a common system for user information," says Ms Torstensson.

Come into force in 2012 The restriction - in the form of a potential damages review - that has prevented commercial bus companies from conducting local and regional public transport within a county will be removed. This will result in greater choice for passengers, at the same time as the major public commitment guarantees a coordinated system of regular service.

It will be easier for the regional public transport agency to organise transport across county boundaries in that the current county boundary restriction for transport authorities that organise passenger transport on railways will be abolished, and in that the public transport agency will be allowed to operate regular bus services without a special permit. This will facilitate the efforts of municipal authorities to expand the labour market regions in a sustainable manner.

It is proposed that the Public Transport Act, as well as the proposed amendments to current legislation, enter into force on 1 January 2012.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary +46 8 405 48 17 +46 70 593 08 77

Ulf Andersson Desk Officer +46 8 405 36 57 2009

Press release 14 May 2009 Prime Minister's Office Ministers' engagements weeks 21-22 2009

Subject to change.

For further information contact the Minister's press secretary. Related Press contacts Calendar for Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt Prime Minister's Office Calendar for Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt Calendar for Minister for Trade Ewa Björling Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt 18 May Travel in Sweden

20 May Party leader debate ahead of European Parliament election, Riksdag

25 May Travel in Sweden

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt 18 May Participation in GAERC, Brussels Visit to Göteborg, Sweden

21 May Visit to Warsaw Visegrad Meeting

24-26 May ASEM, Hanoi

27-28 May Visit to Phnom Penh

Minister for Trade Ewa Björling 18 May Visit to Göteborg, Sweden

19 May Visit to Almi Företagspartner (Almi Business Partner)

19 May Dialogue meeting on the export ban on Swedish snuff in the EU internal market

20 May Advisory Committee on EU Affairs, Riksdag Meeting with World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick at World Bank meeting, Helsinki

25 May Speech at Africa Day Seminar on Strategic Partnerships for African Development, Stockholm 27 May Main speaker and award presenter at SwedenBIO's Annual General Meeting

27 May Informal meeting with African ambassadors based in Stockholm on EPA negotiations

28 May Competitiveness Council, Brussels

29 May Visit to Tranås, Sweden

Press release 05 February 2009 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Sweden and Finland reject customs duties on mobile phones Six Swedish and Finnish ministers have sent a joint letter to the European Commission today strongly criticising plans to change the classification of mobile telephones in a way that in practice would mean a dramatic rise in customs duties on them.

The ministers warn that the new duties would result in more expensive phones for consumers and weakened competitiveness for an important high-tech and innovation-driven industry. They also highlight the risk that the decision will lead to trade conflicts with other members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Download Read the letter from Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Björling, Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson and Minister for and Finnish ministers to the Communications Åsa Torstensson have signed the letter along with Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and European Commission (pdf Development Paavo Väyrynen, Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen and Minister of 125 kB) Communications Suvi Lindén.

The letter was sent to Commissioners Catherine Ashton, László Kovács, Viviane Reding and Günter Verheugen.

Contact Jens Söderblom Political Adviser to Ewa Björling +46 8 405 27 44 +46 76 766 39 99 email to Jens Söderblom Lisa Wärn Pressekreterare hos Maud Olofsson Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson 2008

Press release 19 November 2008 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Swedish-Lithuanian Motorways of the Sea Project approved for EU co-financing

The Swedish and Lithuanian Governments have worked very hard to concretize and develop the concept of Motorways of the Sea. As a result of these efforts, high class Motorways of the Sea projects have been submitted to the European Commission within the call for funding for Trans- European Transport Network.

The Swedish and Lithuanian Governments can today inform that the jointly submitted project involving the ports of Karlshamn and Klaipeda has received EU co-financing of approximately 5 million euros. The project aims at improving infrastructure in the two ports and to support intermodality which will contribute to develop the transport corridor between Scandinavia-Eastern Europe-Black Sea area. These measures will contribute to a more efficient transport corridor between Sweden and Lithuania.

- It is very satisfying that this Swedish-Lithuanian Motorways of the Sea project has been approved by the Commission, which means that the transport corridor between Karlshamn-Klaipeda is acknowledge as one of the most important in the Baltic Sea and is of vital interest for the whole EU. This also underlines the growing importance of an efficient transport corridor in the southern Baltic Sea and the important role this transport corridor will play for our countries the coming years say the Minister for Communications in Sweden Åsa Torstensson and the Minister of Transport in Lithuania Algirdas Butkevicius in a jointly comment.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Magnus Oldenburg Departementssekreterare 08-405 36 28

Press release 19 November 2008 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Swedish-German Motorways of the Sea Project approved for EU co-financing

The Swedish and German Governments have worked very hard to concretize and develop the concept of Motorways of the Sea. As a result of these efforts, high class Motorways of the Sea projects have been submitted to the European Commission within the call for funding for Trans-European Transport Network.

The Swedish and German Governments can today inform that the jointly submitted project involving the ports of Trelleborg and Sassnitz has received EU co-financing of approximately 10 million euros. The aim of the project is to improve the transport corridor between Trelleborg and Sassnitz by upgrading the capacities of a rail/sea link combined with the development of new intermodal train services. Within the project there is also a potential for a significant modal shift from the road to combined rail-sea-rail transport. These measures will contribute to a more efficient transport corridor between Sweden and Germany.

- It is very satisfying that this Swedish-German Motorways of the Sea project has been approved by the Commission, which means that the transport corridor between Trelleborg-Sassnitz is acknowledge as one of the most important in the Baltic Sea and is of vital interest for the whole EU. We are confident that this project will contribute to an even more efficient and sustainable transport corridor between our countries say the Minister for Communications in Sweden Åsa Torstensson and the Minister of Transport in Germany Wolfgang Tiefensee in a jointly comment.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Magnus Oldenburg Departementssekreterare 08-405 36 28

Press release 30 September 2008 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Government aims for infrastructure putting user needs first Today the Government presents its Infrastructure Bill to the Riksdag. The Bill is entitled "Travel and transport in the future - infrastructure for sustainable growth."

The Bill is part of the long-term planning process for action on transport infrastructure. The process will lead to new transport infrastructure plans for the period from 2010 to 2021. The Swedish regions and traffic agencies will present proposals for action in autumn 2009 and the Government will decide on these proposals at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.

"Improved infrastructure paves the way for jobs and business everywhere in the country. By adopting an intermodal approach, the Government wants to create conditions for attractive and climate-efficient solutions for people and businesses," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

In the Bill, the Government proposes a national planning framework of SEK 417 billion for 2010-2021. SEK 136 billion will be set aside for operation and maintenance of national roads, including bearing capacity, frost resistance and reconstruction, and co-financing of private roads. SEK 64 billion will be set aside for operation and maintenance of national railways. SEK 217 billion will be used for developing the transport system.

"We are now raising our ambitions substantially compared with previous infrastructure plans. The annual appropriations will be raised by SEK 3 800 million. This will enable us to make serious improvements and new investments in Swedish infrastructure," says Ms Torstensson.

The development funds will be used for investments in national roads and railways, co-financing of certain transport sites, sector responsibilities (the contribution of transport sectors towards transport policy and environmental objectives), and interest and amortisation expenses. The Government also proposes that funds from the planning framework be available for use in co-financing major and strategic action in fairways and locks and co-financing private roads. The operating grant to non-state airports will be included in the planning framework.

The national planning framework will be reinforced/supplemented by various forms of co-financing, such as user charges and congestion charges. Currently known co-financing for the period covered by the plan exceeds SEK 30 billion. Co-financing solutions will be actively sought during action planning.

Local and regional influence on and responsibility for the transport system is desirable and highly important. The development of the transport system must take account of the priorities raised regionally and in dialogue with industry. The priorities are to focus on users and proceed from an intermodal perspective. The regions are called upon to prioritise action in both regional and national networks.

The initiatives proposed in the Government Bill and those that the action planning is intended to lead to are expected to achieve the following improvements: The transport system will contribute to growth and to more people getting jobs in more and growing businesses everywhere in the country. Women and men will have access to larger labour market regions. Acute bottlenecks in the transport system will disappear. Climate-efficient travel and transport will be facilitated, which will contribute to achieving the climate policy objectives. Accessibility will be improved in the metropolitan regions. Infrastructure will be looked after with increased resources for maintenance. Infrastructure will be made secure to withstand climate change. It will become safer to travel on our roads. The whole travel chain and transport system will be better coordinated and better adapted to users' needs. The public benefit of resources put into infrastructure will increase.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson

Press release 18 March 2008 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Functional separation for better broadband competition The Government has now approved the Bill "Functional separation for better broadband competition", which is intended to improve competition in the broadband market.

In the Bill, the Government proposes that the National Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) be given more scope to intervene so as to increase competition in the broadband market by ordering functional separation. Such a decision can be taken by the PTS if it turns out that the dominant operator still has an unfair advantage vis-à-vis other operators in the market, and other operators do not have sufficient insight into the dominant operator's network operations, despite other measures from the PTS.

"We have decided on a number of measures to develop the broadband market and improve competition in the existing broadband market. We are now giving the PTS another tool to increase competition. The purpose is to give consumers greater freedom of choice of broadband services and to make it easier to change broadband operator. In the long term, we consider that this will also lead to lower prices for broadband services," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

The Government's proposal means that business units that administer, operate and supply the copper access network will be separated from other operations, particularly sales operations, so that all actors are given access on equal terms to the copper access network. This proposal can never mean that the dominant operator, today TeliaSonera AB, will be forced to transfer ownership of the copper access network to a special company. A decision on functional separation must be preceded by a thorough investigation and consultations with the market. Before a decision is taken by the PTS, the European Commission must give its approval.

To ensure that the separated business unit is independent in relation to the operator's other activities, the PTS can decide on terms that limit influence over the separated unit. It will also be possible for the PTS to order the dominant operator to ensure that it has a function that monitors compliance with its obligation.

The proposed Act will also give the dominant operator the alternative option of implementing functional separation voluntarily. A voluntary separation of this kind can be approved by the PTS in a decision.

It is proposed that the new provisions enter into force on 1 July this year.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Cecilia Östrand Desk Officer 08-405 28 33

Press release 17 January 2008 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Decision on proposal to the Council on Legislation: "Functional separation for better broadband competition" Today the Government decided on a proposal for consideration by the Council on Legislation, "Functional separation for better broadband competition", which is intended to improve competition in the broadband market.

"Improving competition in the broadband market will encourage a better range of broadband services and reasonable consumer prices for broadband services," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

In the proposal that it is referring to the Council on Legislation for consideration, the Government proposes that the regulatory authority (the National Post and Telecom Agency) be given a further tool for tackling competition problems in the broadband market. In order to guarantee non- discrimination and transparency, it will be possible to oblige a telecommunications operator with SMP (significant market power) that delivers both wholesale and end-user services (a vertically integrated operator) in the markets for direct access to access networks (LLUB, local loop unbundling) and 'bitstream' access, to separate the services relating to administration, operation and provision of the network and necessary accessories for access from other services. This does not mean that ownership of the metallic access network will pass to the separated entity.

It is also proposed that the National Post and Telecom Agency be able to approve a voluntary proposal on functional separation from the operator. As long as this decision is in force no obligatory order for functional separation may be made.

It is to be possible to attach terms to the obligatory order to ensure the independence of the separated service. The terms may involve a requirement that the service be operated by an entity that is a separate legal person or that the operator's influence over the separated entity be restricted in an equivalent manner by organisational measures. The provision allows scope for the National Post and Telecom Agency to order that the operator establish a function in the separated entity that has the internal task of ensuring that the obligatory order on functional separation be implemented and the obligation be complied with.

A decision on mandatory or voluntary functional separation may not be taken before a draft decision has been approved by the European Commission.

It is proposed that the new provisions enter into force on 1 July this year.

"The Government has made the assessment that despite current regulations, the competition problems in the broadband market are so great that a powerful new tool is needed to tackle them. We are choosing to do this now since distortion of competition in the dynamic and changeable broadband market hampers development to the disadvantage of consumers and threatens Sweden's role as a leading IT nation," says Minister for Communications Åsa Torsensson.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson Helene Ramqvist Legal Adviser +46 8 405 59 37

Cecilia Östrand Desk Officer +46 8 405 28 33 2007

Press release 08 May 2007 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Meeting for better transport in the Nordic and Baltic countries Today Sweden's Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson and Norway's Minister of Transport and Communications Liv Signe Navarsete hosted a joint meeting with transport ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.

The purpose of the meeting was to start a dialogue on how the countries can strengthen cooperation on long-term infrastructure planning in the Baltic Sea region. The positive economic development, not only in our immediate area but also in regions to the east, increases the demand for effective logistic and infrastructure solutions.

- Today, my colleagues and I have taken a first step towards finding a way to make our infrastructure systems work together more efficiently. In doing so we can support the business sector's need of transport in new east-west corridors, comments Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

Contact Kenneth Hultgren Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson

Press release 19 January 2007 Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications The Swedish Government introduces changes to the Shipping Aid Ordinance

The Government of Sweden has decided to change the Shipping Aid Ordinance. The amendment to the Ordinance involves the fact that shipping aid can be given to shipping companies that have or have had seamen employed for work onboard cargo and passenger vessels which are used in domestic traffic, if the traffic is purchased by public procurement. The change will take effect January 1, 2009.

The Government's decision will make it possible for Swedish shipping companies to compete under the same conditions as foreign shipping companies in the ongoing public procurement of the Gotland traffic.

- I am pleased that we through these changes have gotten a set of regulations which give equal and fair conditions for competitions for the Swedish shipping industry, says Åsa Torstensson, the Swedish Minister for Communications.

Contact Elin Lagercrantz Press Secretary to Åsa Torstensson +46 8 405 10 47 +46 70 580 02 47 email to Elin Lagercrantz