Tidigare event

General Assembly 2020 and talk by the French Ambassador to Sweden

Last week, the General Assembly for the year 2019 was held online with an introduction by the French Ambassador to Sweden David Cvach on his vision of the post-crisis period. The annual report and the financial statement as well as the election of the new board were approved by the Assembly. 

Introduction by the French Ambassador to Sweden

The French Ambassador to Sweden underlined three essential aspects of the crisis for French-Swedish relations : the Swedish strategy during the crisis, the European cooperation and the bilateral relations between the two countries. He stressed out that Sweden’s strategy consists in preventing a strict lockdown and the collapse of its health system, which was in this sense a success. But this strategy was not an option for France as the density of population is much more important and social distancing far more difficult to implement.  

Even if Sweden is part of the so-called frugal countries, he remains confident that a compromise will be reached at the European level concerning the French-German initiative for a European recovery package of 500 BN EUR. He insisted that the money injected in the economy must serve the strategic purposes of the EU and be dedicated to key sectors for the European competitiveness. Europe needs a strong common answer in order to avoid major imbalance between the member states and a possible collapse of one of them. 

When it comes to bilateral relations between France and Sweden, he highlights that even if they disagree on the quantity of money that should be injected at the European level, they agree on what this money should be spent for. Both countries share their aim to go further in the green and digital transition by promoting sectors such as green finance, green transports, the health sector or digital solutions. He remains thus confident that the crisis will open a huge space for French-Swedish cooperation, which is already important. 

Review from the General Assembly 

After the traditional procedures, the Managing Director of the Chamber, Virginie Ferraton, came back on the main figures for the year 2019 : 51 companies were assisted on the Swedish market, 26 events organised, 21 new members joined the Chamber in 2019…Then the President of the Chamber Ludovic Bouveron pointed out the good financial results of the past year and thanked the team and the board for their work and commitment. 

Some changes occurred in the board’s composition: Erika Charbonnel stepped down from the board and Yves Chantereau, former president of the CCFS, was elected as member of the nomination committee, replacing Isabelle Ducellier. For more information about the board’s composition, please have a look at our dedicated webpage.

We one more time thank all our members for their engagement in the French-Swedish community and all the people following us and participating in our activities!

Read the Annual report here. 

Presentation of the General Assembly :