Resolving energy crises, security, climate change top priorities as Sweden heads EU

The Swedish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Ms Annika Hahn-Englund, has assured that tackling energy crises across Europe, and advancing security and defence will be the focus as Sweden took over leadership of European (EU).

She also pledged that other related issues including championing climate change discussions and achieving results at the COP27 would be given due attention.
Hahn-Englund, who spoke at the occasion of the Swedish Santa Lucia celebration and the handover ceremony of the EU Presidency to Sweden by the Czech Republic, commended Czech’s tenure as President of the EU for the ability to unite member states towards a common goal even as they work at a difficult time for the bloc due to the Russian/Ukraine war.

She said: “Many of these dossiers will continue to be at the top of the agenda during the Swedish presidency.

“Sweden is number three in the Presidency Trio since the bloc calendar commenced in 2021. First, it was France, then the Czech Republic and on January 1, our leadership will commence.”

The Ambassador noted that in line with the trio programme from December 2021, the political direction for the Swedish EU presidency could be summarised in five headings including the provision of security for EU citizens and strengthening the EU’s role in the world; stopping organized crime; speeding up the climate transition; strengthening the EU’s competitiveness for the jobs of the future and safeguarding the EU’s fundamental values.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Mr Zdeněk Krejči, stated that the responsibility of the Czech Republic presidency was to create the condition of security and prosperity for the bloc.

He added that bringing sustainable peace to Ukraine was paramount on the council’s leadership agenda.

The Ambassador however noted that events of the last months showed that Europeans in a crisis triggered by an external threat are able to act quickly, effectively and in a united way.

He said: “The overall objective of the Czech presidency was to contribute as much as possible to create the desired conditions for the security and prosperity of the EU.

“In the context of the European values of freedom, social justice, democracy and the rule of law and environmental responsibility, Czech presidency of the bloc has been getting closer to the finish line and is gradually reaping the fruits of almost six months of work.

“It managed to facilitate an agreement among member states on further measures to tackle the energy crisis, and negotiate the EU budget for 2023 among others.”

While wishing his Swedish counterpart the best of luck, Krejči prayed that Sweden will succeed in strengthening EU’s fundamental values.

Guest were later entertained by the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO) with Santa Lucia procession.

According to the Swedish Ambassador, Lucia procession was about celebrating light and the future return of light in the middle of midwinter darkness.
“The Latin word for light is “Lux” and this is the origin of the name of Lucia. Saint Lucia lived in Sicily in Italy in the 4th century and she came with food to poor people living in caves.

“As she was carrying the food in her hands, she put candles in her hair to light up.

The white-dressed Lucia-bride with her crown of candles usually comes very early in the morning, when it is still completely dark, to serve morning coffee with ginger snaps (pepper cookies) and a special kind of wheat bun spiced with saffron. The yellow buns usually had the form of a cat, which also gave it its name: Lussekatt – the Lucia-cat.

“I use the word procession because Lucia does not come alone. She brings both girls and boys equally dressed in long white gowns, singing Christmas carols in the early morning. The Lucia tradition is strong in Sweden and in many homes, schools and company offices, Lucia is celebrated today”, she said.