Foreign and security policy

The Government is taking swift and resolute action in response to the earthquake that hit Türkiye and northern Syria today, through support measures and in its role as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Today, 26 January, the Government has decided to provide further support to Ukraine. This support aims to improve nuclear safety and electricity supply in Ukraine by funding the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The support amounts to a total of SEK 20 million in 2023.

After a meeting of the new National Security Council on 24 January, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson held a press conference on the NATO accession process and Swedish security.

Sweden and the rest of the EU have expressed clear support for the Iranian people, especially women and girls, who are peacefully demonstrating for their human rights. Sweden has individually, and together with the other EU Member States, condemned the violence that the Iranian authorities have used against demonstrators. Sweden has also called for those responsible for the death of Mahsa Jina Amini to be held accountable. Moreover, the EU has repeatedly imposed tougher sanctions against responsible individuals and entities, and the UN Human Rights Council has held a special session in response to the violence and human rights violations.

Sweden strongly condemns the executions that have been carried out in Iran in relation to the ongoing protests. Sweden and other EU Member States are always opposed to the death penalty, at all times and under all circumstances.

Speech by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 8 January 2023. Check against delivery.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, held at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs 21 December 2022. Check against delivery.

The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 today issued the following joint statement:

On 21–22 December, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, for talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

Immediate and long-term support to Ukraine was on the agenda when EU leaders met in Brussels on 15 December. They also discussed the EU’s response to the energy crisis and EU-US relations. On 14 December, the first-ever summit between the leaders of EU and ASEAN member states was held. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson represented Sweden.

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Chile, Iceland, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Tobias Billström, held at the Atlantic Council 7 December 2022. Check against delivery.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Washington DC on 6–8 December for a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Discussions will focus on Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the EU, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, China and NATO.

National Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Mr Tobias Billström, held at the OSCE 29th Ministerial Council 1 December 2022.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is in Bucharest on 29–30 November to take part in the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, marking Sweden’s first time participating as an applicant country (invitee).

The second meeting of the Permanent Joint Mechanism established within the framework of the Trilateral Memorandum which Türkiye, Finland and Sweden signed during the NATO Summit, was held in Stockholm on November 25, 2022.

(New version) Sweden is facing the greatest foreign, security and defence policy challenges of modern times. For this reason, Sweden’s security policy activities must be coordinated and its crisis management organised so they reflect today’s complex threat and risk landscape. The Government therefore intends to establish a national security council at the Prime Minister’s Office.

(New version) On Friday 18 November, Minister of Defence Pål Jonson will travel to Canada to attend the Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) on 18–19 November.