New policy for Sweden's international HIV/AIDS efforts
Sweden is now intensifying its efforts in the international fight against HIV and AIDS. This is necessary since 33 million people around the world still live with HIV, more than a quarter of a century after the virus was discovered.
Sweden hands over Chairmanship of Council of Europe to Spain
Thursday 27 November marks the last day of Sweden's Chairmanship of the Council of Europes Committee of Ministers. Carl Bildt will be in Strasbourg to hand over the Chairmanship to Spain and its Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos.
- Speech: Carl Bildt summarizing the Swedish chairmanship
- Press release: Carl Bildt to Strasbourg
- Report on the Swedish Chairmanship
- Read more about the Swedish Chairmanship of the Council of Europe
- Interview: Spain's Human Rights Ambassador, Silvia Escobar, speaks of the human rights issues to be addressed
Carl Bildt visiting Warsaw
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt is in Warsaw today, Monday 25 November, to meet Poland's President Lech Kaczynski and for a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad Group. At the top of the agenda are discussions of the Polish-Swedish 'Eastern Partnership' initiative.
Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström on the Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty
The Swedish Riksdag voted to ratify the EU Lisbon Treaty on Thursday 20 November. The vote was preceded by a nine-hour debate involving members of the Riksdag and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström.
"I am delighted that the Riksdag has voted to ratify the Lisbon Treaty by a large majority and across party political lines", says Cecilia Malmström.
Sweden increases support to Afghanistan
The Government today decided to strengthen Sweden's support to Afghanistan. The decisions concern both military contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the design of a new strategy for the Swedish development assistance to Afghanistan.
Sweden prepared to provide SEK 40 million in aid to eastern Congo
The humanitarian situation has further deteriorated in eastern Congo. Sweden is prepared to quickly provide humanitarian aid amounting to some SEK 40 million, of which SEK 10 million is intended for the UNHCR's work with refugees in the region.
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on the presidential election in the USA
"Barack Obama will take office as President at a time when relations between Sweden and the USA are good and the conditions for cooperation are promising. I want to congratulate Barack Obama on winning the election and look forward to continued and deeper dialogue between our countries," says Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
International Conference on Systematic Work for Human Rights
Sweden will host an International Conference on Systematic Work for Human Rights in Stockholm on 6-7 November. Among those attending the conference will be Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg. Some 200 people from around 70 countries will attend the conference.
Government takes measures to strengthen financial stability
The Government has today approved a guarantee programme that will be administered by the Swedish National Debt Office. The programme aims to secure the medium-term borrowing of banks and mortgage institutions and lower the cost of borrowing for households and companies. The Government is also giving the National Debt Office a broad mandate to intervene if individual institutions get into serious financial difficulties under the new act on state aid to credit institutions.
The Swedish Government proposes plan to secure the stability of the financial system
The Government will today refer a stabilisation plan for Sweden to the Council on Legislation. The plan includes measures to secure financial stability in Sweden and to deal with the negative effects of the global financial crisis. The proposal includes the creation of a guarantee scheme to restore confidence in the markets and thereby reduce borrowing costs for households and businesses.
