Areas of responsibility

The Foreign Service comprises the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Swedish missions abroad and is responsible for Swedens relations with other countries. The task of the Foreign Service is to contribute to realising the Governments overall foreign policy objectives. It is also responsible for coordinating Swedish foreign policy at the Government Offices. Its areas of responsibility include:

• Embassies, consulates and consular affairs

  Areas of responsibility: embassies and consulates, assistance to Swedes abroad.

• International law and human rights

  Promoting and enhancing respect for human rights is a priority task which must permeate all aspects of foreign policy, including international development cooperation and migration policy, security policy and trade policy.

• Global development and development assistance

  The objective of Swedish development cooperation is to raise the living standards of poor people. The Government Bill Shared Responsibility presents the common objective of contributing to equitable and sustainable global development which must embrace all policy areas.

• Trade, investment and the promotion of Sweden

  A priority task is to promote Swedish business and Swedish economic interests abroad, encourage foreign investment in Sweden and help to publicise Sweden generally in other countries.

• Trade policy

  Free trade is a prerequisite for Swedens welfare. This is why Sweden is vigorously pursuing open, simple and fair conditions for international trade and investment. This will contribute to growth, employment and sustainable development.

• Assistance to Swedes abroad

  One of the duties of the Foreign Service is to help Swedes in distress abroad. This is called consular assistance.

• Foreign and security policy

  The objective of Swedish foreign and security policy is to secure Swedens relations with other countries.

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• Countries and regions

  Sweden has a long tradition of an active foreign policy, with extensive and close bilateral and multilateral cooperation, both in our part of the world and globally.