Press release
20 May 2010
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
New ambassador to Afghanistan
Today, 20 May, the Government appointed the Secretary-General of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Torbjörn Pettersson, as Sweden's Ambassador to Afghanistan. At the same time, Ambassador Krister Bringéus was appointed Senior Civilian Representative in Mazar-e-Sharif to increase the overall political presence in northern Afghanistan.
Torbjörn Pettersson has been Secretary-General of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan since 2008. He has previously worked for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), where his positions included Head of the Finance and Corporate Development Department and Sida Country Director at the Swedish Embassy in Tanzania. He has also been Secretary-General of the Liberal Party and political adviser at the Prime Minister's Office from 1993 to 1994.
Krister Bringéus is currently Sweden's Ambassador to Serbia. Prior to this he led the Swedish Delegation to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. He has also been Head of the European Security Policy Department at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. His postings abroad include the embassies in Washington, Bonn, Moscow and London.
Background
The Government has created a new post of Senior Civilian Representative in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. This is part of the increased emphasis on civilian operations in Afghanistan and capacity-building of Afghan structures. The Senior Civilian Representative will be responsible for overall political leadership and Swedish civilian activities in the area, while the military commander will continue to be responsible for military activities and security.
Contact
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