Sweden in the EU

Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard is in Helsinki on 13 September to meet with Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen. The agenda includes discussions on regional cooperation, NATO and support to Ukraine. The visit to Helsinki is Ms Malmer Stenergard’s first in her capacity as Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.

Afghanistan: Statement of the High Representative on behalf of the EU on latest restrictions imposed by the Taliban on the people.

The European Union remains extremely concerned about the deepening political crisis in Venezuela.

The Government has decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation that aim to improve Sweden’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified workers.

The European Union continues to follow developments in Venezuela with great concern. Reports from international election observation missions clearly state that the presidential elections on 28th July did not meet international standards of electoral integrity.

European research and innovation collaborations contribute to maintaining and strengthening European values for a free, open, and value-based market economy. In today’s geopolitically challenging situation, it is important that the EU’s long-term competitiveness and openness are at the core of an open strategic autonomy. European research and innovation collaboration is of great importance for Swedish universities, industry, institutes, public sector entities, and other stakeholders. The Swedish position paper aims to present key principles that Sweden believes need to be safeguarded or improved in the development of the next framework program for research and innovation to serve the development, competitiveness, and prosperity of all of Europe.

The Government has decided to nominate Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall as the new Swedish European Commissioner for the period 2024–2029.

The EU has adopted a new set of sanctions against Belarus, in response to the situation in the country, and its involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. These measures aim to reduce the possibilities of circumventing the sanctions against Russia.

The EU has adopted its fourteenth sanctions package against Russia in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions aim to further limit the Russian state’s revenues and Russia’s capacity to wage war, and they are an important part of the EU’s support for Ukraine. The new package includes stricter measures targeting the shadow fleet and imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The EU single market is by far the most important market for Sweden. It is therefore crucial that it is at the core of the Strategic Agenda and a top priority for the EU Commission. This 10S booklet outlines the top ten political commitments that are needed for the EU single market to remain competitive in an era of fierce global competition.

On 25 June, Mr Billström will travel to Warsaw for talks with Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski.

June 11, 2024

The European Union gives its full support to the comprehensive roadmap presented by President Biden, that would lead to an enduring ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and a surge of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The EU appreciates the determined efforts by the US, Egypt and Qatar in facilitating negotiations to bring an end to the war between Israel and Hamas, while ensuring Israel’s security, to which the EU remains fully committed.

The EU has adopted a new sanctions regime in response to increasing political repression in Russia. In light of the decision, 19 natural persons and one entity have been added to the sanctions list.

In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU decided to immobilise the Central Bank of the Russian Federation’s assets in the EU. During the Swedish Presidency of the Council, an EU Working Group was established to investigate the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. This work as resulted in the EU’s decision on 21 May to use the net extraordinary revenues generated by the immobilised assets to provide military and macroeconomic support to Ukraine.

The humanitarian situation is deteriorating in Yemen amidst escalating regional dynamics. Senior representatives from across the humanitarian community gathered in Brussels today at the sixth Yemen Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting (SOM VI), co-hosted by Sweden and the European Commission, to address the most immediate emergencies and to ensure a timely lifesaving response.