Foreign and security policy

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer will travel to Ankara on 21 January to launch Sweden and Türkiye’s bilateral security dialogue, Security Compact. During the meeting the ministers will discuss security cooperation and international affairs.

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The Heads of State and Government of the Nordic and Baltic countries have today appointed the former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to prepare an independent report with policy recommendations aimed at advancing Nordic-Baltic security and defence cooperation.

On Wednesday 15 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold a press conference together with former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. A news item will be presented in connection with the press conference.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, along with her Nordic and Baltic colleagues, has written a letter urging the EU Commission proposing to lower the oil price cap within the G7.

Speech by Minister For Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference 12 January 2025. Check against delivery.

Joint Statement by Nordic Baltic Foreign Ministers on energy situation in the Republic of Moldova, January 7, 2025

Joint Statement by Nordic Baltic Foreign Ministers on Situation in Georgia, 29 December 2024.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Elinor Hammarskjöld as Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel. Ms Hammarskjöld currently serves as Director-General for Legal Affairs and Head of the Directorate-General for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States to counteract foreign malign information influence activities. The agreement is an important platform for closer cooperation and exchange of experience between Sweden and the US in this area.

Experiences and Lessons Learned

Summary of the Report of the All-Party Committee of Inquiry on Sweden’s Engagement in Afghanistan 2001–2021 (SOU 2024:92).

Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa is visiting Israel and Palestine on 16–18 December to get an updated picture of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, and to hold talks on humanitarian access and support.

Okhmatdyt, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, was hit by a Russian robot attack earlier this year. The Government then expressed its intention to support the reconstruction of the hospital with almost SEK 10 million to match the amount collected by Beredskapslyftet in private financing. The first part of the support is now being disbursed through a grant of SEK 3 million. Together with the SEK 3 million from the business sector, the aid will go towards equipment and training to secure functioning hospital beds at the children’s hospital, enable vital care and strengthen preparedness for possible patient evacuations.

On 16–17 December, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is participating in a Summit in Tallinn within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) regional defence cooperation partnership.

The EU has adopted a fifteenth sanctions package in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions are one of the primary tools to counteract Russia and support Ukraine by constraining the Russian State’s revenues and military capability. The new sanctions package includes additional measures against the ‘shadow fleet’, circumvention of sanctions and third-country support to Russia.

Today, 16 December, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard is taking part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

The Government has decided to contribute an additional SEK 110 million to Ukrainian humanitarian initiative Grain from Ukraine. The support will go to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which is the initiative’s implementing partner. Under the initiative, Ukrainian grain is transported to countries where the need for food is greatest.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ms Maria Malmer Stenergard, held at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, 11 December 2024. Check against delivery.

This strategy aims to enhance Sweden’s security, prosperity and competitiveness through a cohesive and integrated foreign and security policy on cyber and digital issues.