Anders Ygeman

On 26 January, the Swedish Government decided to extend the previously-adopted entry restrictions requiring all travellers from China to be able to present a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection upon arrival in Sweden, regardless of their vaccination status.

Today, 26 January, the Government has decided to provide further support to Ukraine. This support aims to improve nuclear safety and electricity supply in Ukraine by funding the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The support amounts to a total of SEK 20 million in 2023.

In Sweden, freedom of expression and demonstration are protected by the Constitution. Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of the Swedish state. Freedom of expression, freedom of information,  freedom to demonstrate and freedom of assembly are therefore central rights in our democracy. The individual’s right to freedom of religion is also strongly protected by the Constitution.

After a meeting of the new National Security Council on 24 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson held a press conference on the NATO accession process and Swedish security.

On 26–27 January, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer and Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard will lead the first informal ministerial meeting of the Presidency in Sweden. The agenda includes EU migration policy, the fight against organised crime and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The Government has instructed the Swedish Higher Education Authority to conduct case studies on academic freedom. The aim is to provide an in-depth understanding of the work of universities and higher education institutions in promoting and protecting academic freedom and a culture that allows the free pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.

The strategy will apply to the period 2022–2026 and provide a total of SEK 4.3 billion for activities implemented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

In the last week of January and the first week of February, Government ministers will present the Swedish Presidency's priorities in their respective areas to the European Parliament’s committees.

Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Finland’s Minister of Defence Mikko Savola have signed a Finnish-Swedish letter of intent that will enable Finland to provide Ukraine with heavy military weapons at a replacement cost of more than SEK 4.11 billion (EUR 370 million).

The Government today presented a large three-part support package to Ukraine. The package includes a procurement cooperation scheme, instructions to the Swedish Armed Forces to prepare the transfer of the Archer Artillery System, and the largest defence equipment package to date. This includes recoilless rifles with ammunition, anti-tank weapons, assault rifles, mine clearance equipment, Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) with ammunition, and light anti-armour weapon Robot 57 (NLAW), worth SEK 4.3 billion. 

The Government decided today to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation aimed at giving the Swedish Police Authority more effective tools to prevent terrorist content being spread online. The legislative proposal complements an EU regulation in this area.

This compilation contains a selection of the acts and ordinances – both new and amended – that enter into force in the second half of 2022 or in early 2023.

The 2022 Gollegiella Nordic Sami language prize was awarded to Professor Emeritus Ole Henrik Magga, who has spent his entire career promoting, developing and preserving the Sami languages. Through his life’s work, he has shown the Sami people and the world that the Sami languages are alive and meaningful.

Today, Monday 16 January, Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall will travel to Strasbourg to represent the Swedish Presidency of the Council at the plenary session of the European Parliament.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 17 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will travel to Strasbourg to present the programme of the Swedish Presidency of the Council to the European Parliament. At the plenary session, Mr Kristersson will speak about the Swedish Presidency’s priorities.

On Monday 16 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive President of the European Council Charles Michel in Stockholm. It is Mr Michel’s first visit to Sweden since it took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 9 January 2023. Check against delivery.

Speech by Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 9 January 2023. Check against delivery.

Sweden and the rest of the EU have expressed clear support for the Iranian people, especially women and girls, who are peacefully demonstrating for their human rights. Sweden has individually, and together with the other EU Member States, condemned the violence that the Iranian authorities have used against demonstrators. Sweden has also called for those responsible for the death of Mahsa Jina Amini to be held accountable. Moreover, the EU has repeatedly imposed tougher sanctions against responsible individuals and entities, and the UN Human Rights Council has held a special session in response to the violence and human rights violations.