Foreign ministers from NATO and the states participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) met in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss long-term support to Afghanistan. Sweden was represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt. Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, also took part in the meeting. Mr Bildt highlighted three challenges in the coming year. The first and most important is to ensure that the presidential elections next year are conducted in a peaceful and fair way. The second challenge concerns the economy and cooperation in the region. The third involves the conditions necessary for a peace dialogue supported by all groups in Afghanistan.

• Article: Carl Bildt took part in ISAF meeting

Sweden is taking part in the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT PrepCom) in Geneva on 22 April-3 May, ahead of the next NPT Review Conference in 2015. Since it was established in 1970, the NPT has been a cornerstone of international efforts on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. One main priority is implementing the overarching NPT Action Plan that was adopted in 2010. An important premise in Sweden's view is that nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing and that the prospects for progress are best when there is a broad approach that includes both of these aspects.

• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) web site

The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang submitted a joint EU response to the North Korean foreign ministry on Wednesday, which had inquired about wishes regarding any evacuation assistance in light of the current situation.

In its response, the EU states that North Korea's obligations under the Vienna Convention are to protect diplomatic missions and EU citizens. The EU does not share the threat assessment presented by North Korea, and does not consider that the current situation calls for an evacuation.

In its response, the EU also reminds North Korea of the country's international obligations under UN Security Council resolutions, i.e. not to produce or test nuclear weapons and missile technology. The EU calls on North Korea to engage constructively with the international community, disarm and improve the living conditions of the North Korean people.

The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the EU in North Korea.

On 2 April Sweden, together with a large majority of countries in the UN General Assembly, voted in favour of an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

"The adopted treaty is a major success for Sweden and the international community. For the first time we have a legally binding international agreement that sets standards for the international arms trade. These standards improve our prospects of reducing human suffering, which is one of the consequences of the illicit arms trade and trade that contravenes human rights and international humanitarian law," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.

• Press release: International Arms Trade Treaty secured

The EU and Japan today decided to initiate parallel negotiations on free trade and political cooperation agreements, in a move that is expected to have major economic and political value. Japan is the EU's second biggest trading partner in Asia after China. Together, the economies of the EU and Japan make up one third of global GDP. Trade relations between both parties are already good, but there is room for improvement

• Press release: Free trade negotiations between the EU and Japan initiated
• European Commission: Joint statement by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe