Foreign and security policy

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

Holding Russia accountable for its violations of international law is a key issue for the Swedish Government. It is essential for justice and redress, both for Ukraine as a State and for the victims of Russia’s war crimes, but also to maintain the rules-based world order. Sweden is backing several initiatives in this area.

Foreign direct investments are hugely important to Sweden’s business sector. At the same time, there are risks associated with foreign actors investing in protected activities. The Government has therefore today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for a new act under which investments that involve security risks can be reviewed by a special screening authority and, if necessary, prohibited.

On Tuesday 7 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In connection with the visit, Mr Kristersson invited the leaders of the parties in the Riksdag who support Sweden’s NATO accession to a joint meeting with Mr Stoltenberg. At an extraordinary government meeting on Tuesday evening, the Government also took the formal decision to present the NATO bill to the Riksdag.

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.

The European Union has just adopted the tenth sanctions package against Russia in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Both the sectoral and individual sanctions have progressively been expanded. They are currently described as the most extensive ever, but what does that really mean?

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU is toughening its sanctions against Russia. This is the first sanctions package adopted under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The new sanctions include measures such as expanded export restrictions on technological and industrial products vital to Russia’s economy and military capability.

War and displacement bring with them an increased risk of people being exploited in prostitution and human trafficking. Women and children are at particularly high risk when families are separated as a result of war. New international support material has therefore been produced to support Swedish and foreign diplomatic missions in their efforts to combat human trafficking.

National Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Jan Knutsson, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, at the Resumed Eleventh Emergency Special Session on Ukraine, New York, 22 February 2023.

As part of the Government’s clear prioritisation of Ukraine, yet another extensive Swedish support package is being allocated to the country. The support focuses on humanitarian operations and Ukraine’s energy sector.

One year ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Sweden has provided humanitarian, military and civil support to Ukraine. Sweden’s military support to Ukraine has more than tripled since the current Government took office. Over the last twelve months, the EU – including Sweden – has adopted a series of sweeping sanctions packages against Russia Sweden will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Statement by the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Statement from the trilateral meeting between Finland, Norway and Sweden at Harpsund, Sweden, 22 February 2023.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing approximately EUR 3 million in emergency assistance to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria via four of its humanitarian partner organisations. The aid will go to meeting basic needs such as winter clothing, water and psychosocial support for children. In total, Sweden is now providing approximately EUR 13.6 million to those affected in the two countries.

Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is visiting Ankara today together with European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi for joint talks with Turkish representatives. They will discuss the donor conference in support of the earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria, initiated by Sweden together with the European Commission.

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.