Tobias Billström

All NATO member countries have now ratified Finland’s application, and Finland will thereby become a full member in the coming days.

The second Summit for Democracy is taking place on 29–30 March. Sweden is represented at the virtual summit and several side events by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

The following is a statement from the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union.

The government bill is an important step on the path to NATO membership. The Riksdag’s approval is required for Sweden to accede to NATO.

Today, the Government presented a bill proposing that the Riksdag approve Sweden’s accession to NATO. The bill is an important step on the path to Swedish NATO membership. Following the Riksdag’s approval, Sweden can become a full NATO member country once all of the member countries have ratified Sweden’s Accession Protocol.

Today, UN negotiations on an agreement to protect marine biodiversity succeeded after 15 years. The agreement will establish rules to limit environmental impacts and marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has led the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its Member States together with the European Commission.

On 20 February, the final phase of negotiations began in a UN Intergovernmental Conference on an agreement that concerns 95 per cent of the oceans’ volume. The meeting could result in a historic agreement to protect marine biodiversity. Sweden has a key role at the meeting as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, representing – together with the European Commission – the EU and its Member States.

On 15 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented the 2023 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

On Tuesday 14 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will receive Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock. They will discuss the security situation in the neighbourhood, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other current foreign policy matters, including the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A joint press conference will be held after the meeting.

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.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, held at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs 21 December 2022. Check against delivery.

The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 today issued the following joint statement:

On 21–22 December, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, for talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Chile, Iceland, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Tobias Billström, held at the Atlantic Council 7 December 2022. Check against delivery.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Washington DC on 6–8 December for a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Discussions will focus on Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the EU, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, China and NATO.

National Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Mr Tobias Billström, held at the OSCE 29th Ministerial Council 1 December 2022.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is in Bucharest on 29–30 November to take part in the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, marking Sweden’s first time participating as an applicant country (invitee).