Friday 26 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström held a joint press conference with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno. At the press conference, the ministers discussed matters such as Sweden’s application to join NATO and the foreign policy priorities of the Swedish and Spanish Presidencies of the Council of the European Union.
On 13 May 2023, the second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum was held in Stockholm. The Ministerial Forum was co-chaired by Mr Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, and Mr Tobias Billström, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.
On Monday 8 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received South Korean Prime Minister Mr Han Duck-soo in Stockholm. Agenda items included the security situation in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region, enhanced cooperation between South Korea and Sweden in trade, investment, defence, energy and the green transition, and – not least – cooperation on new nuclear energy.
On Wednesday 3 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took part in a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.
On Thursday 20 April, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, held a speech at the formal opening in Stockholm of the Nordic Office of the World Jewish Congress.
The Government has presented the 2023 Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and the Spring Amending Budget for 2023. It shows that Sweden’s economy is in recession, with the highest inflation in more than 30 years. In light of this, the Government has presented a Spring Amending Budget aimed at protecting particularly vulnerable households and lowering inflation. The budget is based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.
The 5th of April, the Government presented investment proposals that will be included in its Spring Amending Budget. The proposals aim to create conditions for the continued growth of Sweden’s military defence and make preparations for NATO membership. Increased appropriations totalling SEK 660 million are proposed in the Spring Amending Budget for 2023. In addition, it is proposed that the Swedish Armed Forces’ authorisation to place orders be increased by SEK 16.78 billion.
On Friday 31 March, Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall held a press briefing on the occasion of the halfway point of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
One year ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Sweden has provided humanitarian, military and civil support to Ukraine. Sweden’s military support to Ukraine has more than tripled since the current Government took office. Over the last twelve months, the EU – including Sweden – has adopted a series of sweeping sanctions packages against Russia Sweden will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström today presented the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. This year’s Statement of Foreign Policy is Mr Billström’s first in his ministerial post.
Sweden holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2023.
Published · Article from Ministry of Climate and Enterprise
Published · Statement from Ministry for Foreign Affairs
