Ministry for Foreign Affairs

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.

A new Öresund Agreement that will make life easier for cross-border commuters, a joint declaration on competitiveness and security by Nordic heads of government, and consensus on how to raise the level of ambition in global environmental efforts. These are just a few examples of what has been achieved during the first six months of Sweden’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Government is paying out SEK 100 million in core support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The disbursement is being made in response to the urgent humanitarian situation in Gaza and in light of the new measures UNRWA has taken to strengthen internal supervision and control.

The first-ever Swedish minister-led business delegation visited Ukraine this week. The delegation was headed by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. In Kyiv, the delegation met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held roundtable discussions with a tailored line-up of Ukrainian ministers, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The new Swedish trade office was also inaugurated.

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.

The Government has decided to close Sweden’s Embassies in Bamako (Mali) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). To continue pursuing effective engagement in the Sahel and West Africa, the Government has also decided to initiate a process to establish a new Embassy in Dakar (Senegal).

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

This regional strategy for the Syria crisis forms part of Sweden’s overall development and foreign policy and will help to strengthen local resilience among the Syrian population, Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in the refugee-hosting communities of neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye, all of which are major regional recipients of Syrian refugees.

Today, Tuesday 18 June, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has summoned the Russian Ambassador to express its stance against Russia’s violation of Swedish airspace that took place on Friday 14 June.

On 19–20 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will host a meeting of the Nordic foreign ministers in Stockholm. The meeting will take place within the framework of Sweden’s Presidency of the N5 – Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy.

In 2019, Sweden and Chile celebrated 200 years of bilateral relations. Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren Stork now confirmed the strong relations by signing a bilateral roadmap.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström on death sentences against Swedes in Iraq.

This year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024) is being held against the backdrop of further intensified Russian attacks against the people of Ukraine and its infrastructure.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström’s during his visit to Texas 13–15 May 2024. Check against delivery.

June 11, 2024

On 10–11 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will travel to Berlin to take part in the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference together with Business Sweden’s CEO Jan Larsson and Director-General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Jakob Granit. This year’s conference will focus in particular on the important role of the private sector in reconstruction, the importance of international cooperation and the human dimension. During his visit to Berlin, Mr Forssell will also meet with the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze. He will also visit the German Vattenfall office.

Sweden’s strategy for civilian crisis management and peace promotion is a part of the governance of Sweden’s collective development, foreign and security policy. The strategy will contribute to strengthening the multilateral organisations’ capability to prevent, predict, manage and resolve crises and conflicts and help promote sustainable peace, security, democracy and increased respect for human rights and freedoms and the rule of law.

The Government has adopted a new regional strategy for the Syria crisis. It comprises SEK 880 million over three years and is being implemented by Sida. Sweden’s engagement is aimed at supporting the Syrian population in Syria, Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in host societies in the neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye.