Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Today, Wednesday 8 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is hosting an international conference on recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine. The aim is to promote and facilitate private sector engagement in these efforts, and to prepare for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on 21–22 June.

France, Germany, Norway, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union, as members of the Friends of Sudan, express their deep concern about the ongoing violence and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan, including reports about violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, as well as about widespread looting of humanitarian supplies.

As holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden hosted the fourth meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Luleå on 30–31 May. Luleå, located in Sweden’s Arctic region, was selected as the venue to showcase Swedish solutions for the green and industrial transitions.

The Swedish Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Cecilia Ruthström-Ruin gave an opening speech on 30 May at the 2023 Stockholm Internet Forum. Check against delivery.

On Tuesday 30 May, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Sweden. On the first day of the visit, he will meet with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at Luleå air base, Norrbotten Wing (F 21). A press conference will be held after the meeting.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström gave a speech on 25 May on the occasion of Africa Day. Check against delivery

Developments in the Western Balkans were on the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council meeting of EU foreign ministers on 22 May. At Sweden’s initiative, a working lunch with the foreign ministers from the Western Balkan countries was held in conjunction with the meeting.

New time for the press conference: 12.20. Tomorrow, Friday 26 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will hold a joint press conference with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno. At the press conference, the ministers will discuss 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 30–31 May, Sweden will host a meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The TTC serves as the main forum for the US and EU to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues. The meeting will be held in Luleå and is the fourth of its kind.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the recommendation to establish a Crisis Facility for the International Development Association. This Facility is a funding programme for Ukraine, Moldova and the poorest countries affected by the war in Ukraine. Sweden has been a driving force in this work. The Swedish Government assumed a leading role at an early stage with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell’s announcement of SEK 600 million in assistance to Ukraine and Moldova in December 2022.

Sweden and the majority of World Health Organization (WHO) Member States in the WHO European Region have decided to relocate the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases from Moscow to Copenhagen. The decision was taken in support of Ukraine and enables the WHO to continue its work fighting noncommunicable diseases in Europe.

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.

Opening speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum on 13 May in Stockholm. Check against delivery.

At the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba will visit Stockholm today to attend the informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers. Agenda items include discussions on the EU’s continued support to Ukraine, including Ukraine’s closer ties with the EU, and measures to maintain pressure on Russia.

Arctic Council statement on the occasion of the thirteenth meeting of the Arctic Council.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs summoned Iran’s acting Ambassador today, Saturday 6 May, to protest against the execution of Swedish citizen Habib Chaab earlier in the day.

On 2 May, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission organised the Single Market Forum (SIMFO) to mark the 30th anniversary of the EU single market. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton co-hosted the conference. The future of the single market was discussed, with a focus on the digital single market, standardisation and skills supply.

On Saturday 15 April, intense fighting erupted in Sudan. For the Government, taking quick action was of the utmost importance, and evacuation preparations began the same day. Following a successful evacuation, the Swedish Armed Forces operation has now been concluded, but the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is continuing to provide consular support to Swedes. At the same time, efforts are being intensified to find a solution to the conflict in Sudan and to avoid spillover effects in an already fragile region. Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström comments on the situation.