Distinguished participants

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It is a great honour for the Swedish Parliament to host the 3rd Council of Europe Forum for Democracy. And it is a true pleasure for me to welcome you all to the Swedish Parliament. Sweden has taken over the important task to chair this Forum after last years Forum in Russia. Next years Forum will be held in Spain.

You will travel back through Swedish Parliamentary history as you move later this afternoon from the Plenary Hall to the Former 1st and 2nd Chambers. In 1971 Sweden changed from a two-chamber system to a unicameral system. Tonight you will move from our capital to the historical city of Sigtuna.

Sweden is known as one of the worlds oldest democracies. What is referred to as the First Swedish Riksdag meeting dates as far back as 1435. Many years later, in 1766, Sweden took an important step towards full-fledged democracy as freedom of press came into force. When our constitution was written in 1809, nearly 200 years ago, the fundaments of our parliamentary democracy was completed. The pillars of the parliament √ deciding the state budget, making laws and exercising scrutiny of the government √ were finalized. In Sweden, the creation of the Ombudsman system has proved to be one of our most successful inventions to safeguard the rights of the citizens, an invention that has been extensively exported. For newly established democracies, the development of parliaments capacity to scrutinize governments is of highest importance for safeguarding the democracy.

Not only new and emerging democracies need to fight for the values of democracy. Every nation needs to work constantly in protecting and promoting the values of democracy and Human Rights. In the Swedish Parliament we work on a daily basis to promote gender equality, multi-cultural dialogue and pluralism. We strive to find actions against intolerance and various forms of discrimination. Major formal decisions are taken here in the Chamber. But also small steps are important to strengthen fundamental rights of every individual.

The initiative of the Council of Europe to hold a series of conferences on Democracy, gathering representatives from parliaments, governments, local and regional bodies and non-governmental organisations is worth every support.

It is only through open and frank exchange of views that we reach out to new and emerging democracies. It is only through broad and public debates that we reach out to the citizens of our countries.

I am confident that this Forum will form a major contribution to further strengthening our joint democratic endeavour.

International cooperation, dialogue and exchange of experiences are crucial to guide us through future action at national and local levels. We need a lively debate to reach way outside this plenary hall. Todays debate in Stockholm should be tomorrows discussions in our respective countries. Each and every one of us can contribute in our different capacities.