“Just in case needs to replace just in time”
EU elections, geopolitical unrest and green transition - how are northern Sweden affected? That was the theme when the Europaforum Norra Sverige's (EFNS) annual conference was held in Sundsvall on April 17–18. Over 170 participants gathered at Hotell Södra Berget in Sundsvall.
– We need new solutions that reduce risks and dangerous addiction, said Anders Ahnlid, the Swedish Board of Trade, about the uncertain times we live in.
European Forum Northern Sweden (EFNS) is a political network. It brings together municipal and regional representatives from Sweden's four northernmost counties to safeguard northern Sweden's interests in EU issues. On site in Sundsvall were decision-makers from national and EU levels and politicians from northern Sweden. Northern Sweden is increasingly in the spotlight, not only nationally, but also in the EU arena.
Anders Ahnlid, Director General of the Swedish Board of Trade, stated that Sweden is in the most serious security situation in a long time at the same time as the largest industrial investments in the green transition are underway, not least in northern Sweden. The most important issues for Europe, Sweden and the four northernmost regions are how to increase productivity, strengthen trade and fight for the green transition, Ahnlid pointed out. But he also emphasized the importance of preparedness and independence.
– Just in case needs to be replaced by just in time with new solutions that reduce risks and dangerous dependence on countries that use assets in the geopolitical game, said Ahnlid.
What does climate policy mean to us?
The goal of the EU's climate policy is for Europe to be the world's first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. The "Green Deal" strategy includes around 50 laws that strive for ecological, economic and social sustainability. But what does climate policy mean for northern Sweden? What effects does it have on the business community? Sweden, despite its previous progress in sustainability, is lagging behind when it comes to implementing policy instruments to achieve the goals.
Magnus Nilsson explained the EU's climate policy on site in Sundsvall.
Magnus Nilsson, climate policy analyst, emphasizing the EU's responsibility in ensuring that the goals they have set are actually achieved.
– If the EU is a state governed by the rule of law, it needs to keep its promise to the Paris Agreement and follow up on climate work more firmly, otherwise the entire global climate work will suffer, said Magnus Nilsson.
Companies that have not solved their problems by 2039, when the rationing system with emission rights is stopped, will be forced to cease operations. Henrik Isakson from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise took the stage after Magnus's introductory analysis.
– From the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, we view the new legislation positively in general. Most of the laws are reasonable, the goals are difficult to oppose. However, the methods for achieving the goals are in many cases too detailed. The view of the industries is largely that they themselves should be allowed to work towards the goals in the most appropriate way for the specific industry, said Henrik Isakson.
New geopolitical perspective
With a war in Europe and an ongoing climate crisis, the EU is increasingly turning its eyes towards northern Europe and the Arctic. Own access to natural resources is becoming increasingly central, as is the need for safe and efficient transport routes. Within the EU, there is growing awareness that member states must take greater personal responsibility for Europe's security. The connections between northern Sweden, Norway and Finland have come into the spotlight, not least since Sweden and Finland joined NATO.
– We are in a rather brutal geopolitical awakening. We have more players on the global playing field. When you have more players, you normally have stricter rules to govern. Now it is exactly the opposite. It affects everything from security alliances to trading partners to investments, said Annika Wäppling Korzinek, head of the European Commission's representation in Sweden.
Annika Wäppling Korzinek spoke about the new geopolitical situation and what it means for the EU.
She further said that the changing security situation has led the EU to enter new policy areas.
– There is a new strong focus on defense and the defense industry. This was a no-go just three years ago, when it was considered that the EU had nothing to do with it. It is a completely new situation now.
It is also about building preparedness, resilient communities.
– We will see this in energy policy, critical raw materials, finding the right balance between protectionism and strategic autonomy, where we try to avoid sitting in the lap of those who are not our friends. It is about having control over investments in sensitive infrastructure. We will see more and more of this takeover, predicted Wäppling Korzinek.
New EU enlargement is approaching
During the EU's next term of office, enlargement of the EU will be on the agenda, twenty years after the Union expanded on a large scale. Just as then, enlargement is also a security policy tool.
– Defense policy issues can no longer be distinguished from civilian issues.
Mats Brandt from the Federation of Ostrobothnia and the Kvarken Council spoke about the Nordic Connector project as a connecting link in an east-west direction, with the potential to be a lifeline for the entire area. He explained how Finland works with overall security and security of supply.
– Supply readiness has a very long tradition in Finland. It goes back to the First World War. Iron, gunpowder and grain, that's where it starts. After the Second World War, organizations were built up and they have shown their strength, not only during wars but also during the oil crisis and the Covid pandemic.
Mats Brandt spoke, among other things, about the new-old vision of a bridge across the Gulf of Bothnia.
The Nordic Connector project involves a fixed connection across the Kvarken between Vaasa and Umeå, but also a strengthening of the E12 corridor and other routes in an east-west direction.
– Nordic Connector is an idea and a vision that has fallen into oblivion and re-emerged. We are not only facing an opportunity to connect two coasts, but could change the future of the entire northern Nordic region and Europe.
“Need to influence the state level”
Lars-Gunnar Nordlander is part of the working group for infrastructure issues within the Europaforum Northern Sweden network. He called for more government involvement.
– The biggest challenge now is the Malmbanan railway, it is not doing well at all. We have one actor who is not here, namely the state. It becomes strange when Norway, Finland, and four counties in Norrland agree and we have conveyed that image to the EU, and when the EU starts talking to the Swedish state, it has a completely different opinion. It is not only at the European level that we need to influence, but also at the state level.
Lars-Gunnar Nordlander, rapporteur in the EFNS group working on infrastructure, sees a need to work on influencing the state.
The role of regions in the future EU
The following day, the focus in the morning was on the EU's regional policy, the so-called cohesion policy. The keynote speaker for this item was Sofia Alves, Director of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy.
“Cohesion Policy was created to harness the potential, ideas and capacities of the regions. It must deliver results for all citizens: people and regions are being left behind and therefore cohesion must continue to bridge this gap between regions,” said Sofia Alves.
Richard Carstedt, rapporteur for the Europaforum Northern Sweden, expressed his concern about cohesion policy after 2027.
– The government says that if we send two kronor to the EU, we get one kronor back, but at the regional level that is the only kronor we get, said Rickard Carstedt.
Rickard Carstedt, rapporteur and regional councilor in Västerbotten, expressed his concern that cohesion policy will be reformed in a way that disadvantages northern Sweden.
The 2024 EU elections - the most important ever?
The 2024 member states will hold elections to the European Parliament in early June 27. The elections in Sweden will be held on June 9, and a total of 21 members will be elected from Sweden to the European Parliament.
In Sweden, we see the greatest support ever for the EU. Around 67 percent think it is good that Sweden is part of the EU, and Annika Wäppling Korzinek, head of the European Commission in Sweden, believes that it is precisely about the EU's ability to handle crises. As examples, she pointed to the joint procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine and the introduction of the Covid certificate so that people could travel during the pandemic. She also mentioned support and refugee reception during the war in Ukraine.
– These crises have shown that we can be extremely innovative when needed. For example, there is nothing in the treaties about procuring ammunition or vaccines, but if all member states want to and agree, it is possible.
Per Johansson, head of the European Parliament's office in Sweden, also discussed why the upcoming EU elections are the most important ever.
– We have a war on our doorstep for the first time in the history of the EU, but there are also other risks. Disinformation and electoral influence, foreign powers trying to influence both EU elections but also national elections. That is something to be very aware of.
Hope for substantive issues
Also on the link was Jakop Dalunde, MEP for the Green Party. He talked about the importance of voting, including in light of the climate issue and the war in Ukraine.
– Previously, election campaigns have focused a lot on whether Sweden should be in the EU or not. However, we have talked very little about what we want the EU to do, now that we are actually in. I think 2019 was the first election campaign when we actually talked about the substantive issues. I hope and believe that it will be the same this time, said Dalunde about the election campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections.
In connection with the conference, EFNS rapporteurs held a meeting. One of them is Region Norrbotten's chairman of the board, Anders Öberg, who belongs to the working group for Research, Innovation and Business.
In the picture the reporters who were present in Sundsvall: From left: Jonny Lundin (C) Region Västernorrland, Lars-Gunnar Nordlander (S) Association of Local Authorities in Jämtland Härjedalen, Isak Utsi (S), Norrbotten Municipalities, Mats Hellhof (SD) Region Västernorrland, Jonas Andersson (S) Region Jämtland Härjedalen, Daniel Danielsson (C) Association of Local Authorities in Jämtland Härjedalen, Ann Åström (S) Region Västerbotten, Anders Öberg (S), Region Norrbotten, Rickard Carstedt (S), Region Västerbotten, Johan Loock (M), Region Jämtland Härjedalen
All photos: Evelina Ytterbom.