• Sweden edition

Sweden slapped with hefty Development Days limousine bill

Published: 22 Dec 09 09:37 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23990/20091222/

Sweden has received a bill of almost 3.5 million kronor ($480,000) limousine services transporting delegates during a five-day summit meeting of European development aid ministers hosted this autumn by the Swedish EU presidency, financial daily Dagens Industri (DI) reports.

The five-day European Development Days summit gathered ministers and heads of government at Stockholm International Fairs in Älvsjö, outside of the Swedish capital at the end of October. The officials discussed the fight against poverty and climate change, among other issues.

“This type of service is expected by the host country. But it's up to others to decide whether it's worth the money,” Peter von Sydow, head of security and transport for the Swedish EU secretariat, told DI.

He emphasized that safety was improved and that taxis don't have access to restricted areas. But Swedish Left Party leader Lars Ohly was highly critical and thought the cost unreasonable.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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11:11 December 22, 2009 by Great Scott
What an incompetent and total waste of tax payers money, this money would have been better spent helping Saab. Seems the Swedish government do not know how to get its priorities right. Don't politicians make you laugh, arrogant hypocrites.
12:15 December 22, 2009 by Britswedeguy
"Great Scott" - if you actually read the article you'll see that the Swedish government neither ran up the bill or has any say in its payment - it was the ministers from other countries that were responcible.

Reading - it's easy and fun!
18:10 December 22, 2009 by Osokin
It's called corruption in most places.
00:14 December 23, 2009 by RoyceD
Actually Britswedeguy the article says exactly claims, Sweden received the bill and the HEAD OF SECURITY talked about how normal it is in other countries, so that is why Swedish citizens should not consider it outrageous.

I admit it is a poorly worded article and demonstrates just how bad it was by the discussion we are now having.

I personally think it is strange that the government of a country that has had a motor industry crisis on its hands for the last decade didn't buy a fleet of cars for just such events, rather than to have to hire someone.
03:29 December 23, 2009 by Davey-jo
I guess you Swedes are mighty happy about this. I know we Brits would be delighted to help you out but , heh, times is tough right now.
11:42 January 7, 2010 by rumcajs
The officials discussed the fight against poverty and climate change and spent 3.5 million kronor in limo services, which are both an icon of extravagance and waste of "material".

We are in trouble. The poverty and climate problems are to be solved by people who think their golden a**es are gonna lose their shine if they put them in something that is not a limo.... cool!
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