On the occasion of one of the final cultural events of the Czech EU Presidency, the United Islands Festival, the Czech Republic was symbolically handing over the Presidency of the EU Council to Sweden by handing over a keg of beer from boat to boat on the Vltava river on 20 June 2009. Then, on 01 July 2009, Sweden will officially take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months.
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt presented on 23 June 2009 the work programme for Sweden's six months in the EU driving seat. It is firstly a question of leading the EU through the financial and economic crisis, dealing with unemployment in Europe and continuing the work to tackle climate change. The full programme, main priorities and events can be obtained through the
official website of the Swedish Presidency.
The Informal Meeting of Directors General for Sport will be organised on 1st-2nd October 2009.
Spain will then take over the EU Presidency on 1st January 2010 and Belgium will follow from the 1st of July 2010.