Herman Van Rompuy visits Sweden
On Tuesday 23 November, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt received President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy for a working lunch at Rosenbad.
Fredrik Reinfeldt and Herman Van Rompuy Photo: The Government Offices
The meeting was mainly spent discussing current EU issues with a focus on economic policy and the permanent crisis resolution mechanism, although other foreign policy matters were also addressed. It is the second time Herman Van Rompuy has visited Sweden since taking up his position as President of the European Council.
"I am particularly glad to be here in Stockholm for - as usual - very constructive and interesting discussions with Fredrik Reinfeldt. I myself welcomed the intention from Sweden to consider a bilateral loan to Ireland," says Mr Van Rompuy.
"We have had positive discussions about the economic situation in Europe. Todays meeting has involved additional efforts to get a crisis resolution mechanism in place and Sweden supports this proposal. Regarding the economic situation in different countries, it is important to remember that we make an individual assessment on a case by case basis. It is not unreasonable to provide our support and to do so early, but the country in debt has the primary responsibility for its own economy," says Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Fact box: Herman Van Rompuy
On 19 November 2009 Herman Van Rompuy was appointed President of the European Council. He took up the position on 1 December the same year during Swedens presidency of the EU. Mr Van Rompuy was Prime Minister of Belgium from 2008 until 2009.
