Sweden to open new embassies in Baku, Yerevan and Doha
As part of Sweden´s efforts to strengthen its presence in the southern Caucasus region of Eastern Europe, the Government today decided to establish permanent representations in Azerbaijan's capital Baku and Armenia´s capital Yerevan. Such an establishment enhances the conditions for Sweden to play an active role in the region and for Sweden to continue to be a driving force in the development of EU policy towards its eastern European neighbours in the Eastern Partnership.
To strengthen Sweden´s presence in the Gulf Region, the Government has also decided to establish a permanent representation in Qatar's capital Doha. This establishment will improve the opportunities for Sweden to continue its active role in the Middle East. The promotion of Sweden is a high priority, as the Qatari market has growing potential for the Swedish business sector.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs publishes reports on human rights situation
The human rights reports, presented by Sweden's Ministry for Foreign Affairs in spring 2013, cover the 35 countries of the Americas. The reports reflect the Government's ambition to integrate human rights into all areas of foreign policy and are part of its efforts to safeguard human dignity and the integrity, freedom and inviolability of the individual. This is the eleventh time the Swedish Foreign Service has compiled and published reports on human rights in individual countries. The reports are only available i Swedish.
Ewa Björling playing computer games. Photo: Jacob Birkeland/MFA
Ewa Björling at computer and video game trade show in US
International surveys rank Sweden high on lists comparing innovation and creativity, which does not come as a surprise after intense hours at the 'The Swedish Affair' event at the E3 computer and video game trade show in Los Angeles.
"Sweden and Swedes are very much noticed, heard and respected in various international contexts regarding the involvement of Swedish entrepreneurs in gaming, literature marketing communication, music, film and fashion. This reputation has been earned through hard work; now it is important to continue developing," says Ewa Björling.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg and Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt met i Stockholm. Photo: Erik Zsiga/MFA
Bildt met Czech foreign minister
On 10 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt met Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg, who is visiting Sweden on 9-11 June.
"Relations between the Czech Republic and Sweden are absolutely outstanding. A contributing factor, no doubt, is that we opened the door to refugees fleeing from oppression in the former Czechoslovakia, both after the communist coup of 1948 and the Soviet invasion in 1968," says Mr Bildt.
Gunilla Carlsson talks about the visit in Gaza on YouTube. Photo: Evin Khaffaf/MFA
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson visits Palestine and Israel
Gunilla Carlsson is visiting Palestine and Israel on 9-12 June for talks with official representatives, civil society and international organisations on Sweden's commitment to the peace process and its support to the Palestinians.
Ms Carlsson will meet the new Palestinian Prime Minister and the Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of Planning, and the Israeli Minister of Finance. She will also meet young Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to discuss their views on Palestinian development issues.
- YouTube: Gunilla Carlsson talks about the visit in Gaza
- Press release: Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson visits Palestine and Israel
- Debate article: Sieze the opportunity for peace and security!
- Debate article: Sieze the opportunity for peace and security! (pdf 432 kB)
FN launches new appeal for Syria
Today the United Nations presented an updated version of the emergency appeals for the humanitarian crisis in and around Syria. In total, the UN is asking donor countries to give around USD 5 billion in 2013, which is the largest appeal ever.
"Today's appeal, which is one of the largest ever, shows how serious the situation in Syria is. We will examine possibilities of increasing our support to Syria and its neighbours. However, it is crucial that all donors take their responsibility and contribute to the humanitarian operations. At the same time, there is no doubt that without a political solution the humanitarian crisis will simply continue to deteriorate," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Ewa Björling Foto: Benjamin Suomela
Promotion Calendar focuses on computer games and marketing communication
The focus for the month of June in the Promotion Calendar is on computer games and marketing communication. These are two rapidly growing export industries, where the eyes of the world are on Sweden. On 10-12 June, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will take part in a major computer games fair in the United States. State Secretary Gunnar Oom will represent Sweden at Cannes Lions, which is the major international meeting point for the marketing communication industry. During Cannes Lions a new learning programme focusing on Swedish creativity - Made@Sweden - will be launched.
Computer games
The 'Swedish computer games phenomenon' is based on success stories such as Swedish EA DICE's best-seller Battlefield and more recently Mojang's independent game Minecraft. With 30 million copies sold, Battlefield is the largest Swedish cultural export since Roxette.Marketing communication
Swedish marketing communication has attracted attention for many years for its creativity and success in international competitions and bolsters Sweden's image as a creative country. But there is still potential for Swedish agencies to attract more international accounts and clients.
Carl Bildt with fellow ministers. Photo: Catarina Axelsson/MFA
Bildt took part in Council of the Baltic Sea States meeting in Kaliningrad
The declaration that was adopted yesterday in Kaliningrad confirmed the importance of the Baltic Sea States cooperating on projects in the Baltic Sea region. Close cooperation and coordination are crucial in areas such as the environment.
"Despite our world now being more connected and global than ever before, local and regional cooperation is important as a first step in solving global challenges, not least in the area of climate and the environment," said Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in his speech at the meeting.
Carl Bildt attended Barents Euro-Arctic Council Summit
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt represented Sweden at the Barents Euro-Arctic Council Summit in Kirkenes in northern Norway on 3-4 June. Discussions concerned future challenges in the region, with opportunities for increased trade, increased growth and environmental and climate initiatives.
"The economic potential of the Barents region is enormous, and the area is unique in Europe in terms of its abundance of metals and minerals, forests, energy and fisheries. It is our responsibility to ensure that this abundance contributes to the development of the Barents region. We must also step up our efforts to tackle the environmental challenges in the region," says Mr Bildt.
Ewa Björling and China's Yu Zhengsheng in Hammarby sjöstad. Photo: Jens Söderblom/MFA
Ewa Björling met Yu Zhengsheng
Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the Chinese People's Consultative Conference, is visiting Gothenburg and Stockholm on 1-4 June.
