Swedish Interests in Times of European Change
Swedish interests in times of European change Speach by Ulf Kristersson, Europahuset, 16th of May 2018 The spoken word applies Ulf Kristersson, Europahuset, 16th of May 2018 First of all, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Katarina Areskough Mascarenhas for giving me the opportunity to come and say a few words about the development and future of European cooperation, what it means for Sweden, and the role I see our country playing within the EU. *** On the 31st of August 1961 Prime Minister Harold Macmillan announced in the United Kingdom’s House of Commons that the UK would apply for membership of the European Economic Community, or the EEC, the predecessor of the modern EU. History – or rather Charles de Gaulle – stood in Macmillan’s way, however, and it would take the UK more than a decade to finally gain membership. The process saw several vetoes from the French President, and eventually his resignation and death, before the UK became a member. Some things have not changed; every time the UK moves to change its relationship with Europe, its actions have an affect on everyone else, including Sweden. It is the same story repeating itself. Within a few weeks, Sweden’s relationship with the EEC would also be determined in a way that would have a significant impact on the European politics debate in Sweden for the next thirty years. The business community, the Liberal People’s Party, and not least my own party pushed for membership. In the 1962 elections, my predecessor Gunnar Hecksher appeared on election posters bearing the message ‘Yes to Europe – for freedom and security’.
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