A world-class foreign service SOU 2011:21

Many events around the world have influenced Swedish foreign policy since the last broad review of the Swedish Foreign Service was presented in 1988. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet empire, the liberation of the Baltic countries and Sweden's membership of the EU are just a few examples of such events. Add to this changing trade patterns and new emerging economic superpowers, and the changing travel patterns of Swedes and increased migration flows. New demands and new opportunities are part of what is generally referred to as globalisation. Nowadays, international conditions and national policies are inextricably linked. This applies to Sweden too.