African activists visit Stockholm Pride
This week, 15 LGBT activists from southern and eastern Africa are visiting Sweden to take part in Stockholm Pride. The participants come from countries such as Sudan, Uganda and Mozambique. The visit has been made possible thanks to aid from Sweden's Embassy in Zambia.
Photo: Patrik Sörquist, Scanpix
Government Offices takes part in Pride
For the seventh year in a row, the Government Offices is among the exhibitors at Stockholm Pride. This year the festival opens on 1 August and will run until 7 August. Stockholm Pride is the largest festival in the Nordic countries that highlights LGBT issues and creates a free zone for homosexual, bisexual, transgender and queer people. This year's theme is Openness.
Government and Social Democratic Party agree on Government Offices funding
The Government and the Social Democratic Party have entered into an agreement concerning the appropriation to the Government Offices. The agreement involves the following:
1. Restoration of Government Offices appropriation
2. Cancellation of planned closures of foreign representation
3. Targeted export promotion
Statement on the situation in Syria
Sweden condemns in the strongest terms the continued repression by the Syrian authorities of their own civilian population.
"We have every reason to condemn this massive violence with the greatest severity. It further undermines the legitimacy of the regime," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
Sweden's humanitarian contribution amounts to almost SEK 700 million. Photo: WFP/Rose Ogola
An extra SEK 200 million to the Horn of Africa
The Government decided today to increase Sida's humanitarian allocation to help people in need in the Horn of Africa. The money will go towards meeting basic needs such as health, food, water, sanitation and protection of children.
Also today, staff from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency will be travelling to Ethiopia to participate in the UN mission in the refugee camps in Dollo Ado. The mission, which involves building a housing and office camp for about 30 UN employees, will be funded by Sida.
SEK 41 million of Sweden's core support to Somalia
"In view of the famine disaster that has hit two regions of Somalia and that is in danger of worsening, USD 6.5 million of Sweden's core support to the World Food Programme (WFP) will now be allocated to efforts in Somalia," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. (USD 6.5 million = approx. SEK 41 million)
Fredrik Reinfeldt on the events in Norway
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt commented on Friday evening, 22 July, on the events in Norway:
"I deeply regret the tragic events that have taken place in Oslo and at the Norwegian Labour Party youth camp. My thoughts go out to the families of the victims and to those who have been injured. I have been in touch with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to deplore what has happened and we have offered our help if needed. Sweden is following developments as they unfold."
At a press conference on Saturday, 23 July, Fredrik Reinfeldt said:
"The whole of Norwegian society now faces a tough challenge. But these questions will also reach us here in Sweden. A hunt for answers, the desire to understand, anger and fear over how someone can be capable of such acts against fellow human beings. Remember that what one extremist does is very often exploited by other extremists. Our task is to show another way."
11 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Sweden's support to the Horn of Africa now amounts to SEK 407 million. Photo: Stuart Price/UN
Sweden's support to the Horn of Africa
The worst drought in 60 years, compounded by ongoing conflicts, has resulted in an imminent famine and continued refugee flows. Sweden has contributed a total of SEK 407 million in humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa and is prepared to contribute additional funds to help affected people in the region.
EU-wide Stress Test 2011
Resolute action to address investor perceptions of sustained weakness in the EU banking sector is an important part of the comprehensive response to the crisis, as endorsed by the European Council. In this context, the objective of the EU-wide stress test carried out across 91 banks for the period 2011-2012 is to assess the resilience of the EU banking system to adverse shocks.
The Government adopts a new strategy for aid initiatives in Zimbabwe and Kenya
The Government has today taken a decision on a strategy for aid initiatives in Zimbabwe for the years 2011-2012.
"Swedish involvement in the country is based on supporting democratic reform and contributing to enable free and fair elections in Zimbabwe," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
The Government today also decided to increase development assistance to Kenya in an effort to strengthen the momentum in the country for democratic and economic development.
