Sweden looks back on achievements as 2009 ends

Sweden has helped to lay the foundations for taking Europe on a sustainable path and to "extricate itself from both the climate and economic crises", according to a review of the Swedes' achievements during their six-month spell at the helm of EU policy.

The assessment was made on Thursday as the Swedish presidency prepares to hand over the reins to Spain, which is taking over on 1 January. Together with selling its green economy vision, leading the EU into December's climate talks with a set of ambitious goals was one of its main achievements.