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.
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling visiting the Gulf Region
On 28 November to 3 December, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman together with Invest in Sweden Agency (ISA) Director-General Per-Erik Sandlund and Swedish Trade Council regional manager Mats Paulson.
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 on the attack in Mumbai
"There is every reason to condemn in the strongest possible terms the extensive terror attacks in Mumbai in India. Up to 80 people are reported to have been killed as a result of a series of coordinated attacks", says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
Carl Bildt visiting Warsaw
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt is in Warsaw today, Monday 24 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.
Ewa Björling led trade delegation to Baghdad
For the first time in 20 years, a Swedish trade delegation has visited Iraq's capital, Baghdad. The visit was led by Minister for Trade Ewa Björling, who was invited to Iraq in connection with the major conference on the country's reconstruction that was held in Stockholm in May.
"For a small country like Sweden that depends on exports, it is very important to try to enter new, emerging markets as early as possible. I therefore felt it was important to travel to Baghdad now", says Dr Björling.
Carl Bildt in Washington
Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, met with his American counterpart, Condoleezza Rice, at the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, November 18th.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs at Human Rights Days in Luleå
As in previous years, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will take part in the Human Rights Days, the largest Nordic forum for human rights, which will be held this year on 13-14 November in Luleå. The programme is a packed and extremely exciting one. Sweden's Ambassador in Zimbabwe, Sten Rylander, and Sweden's Human Rights Ambassador, Jan Nordlander, are among those taking part in seminars.
Sweden increases support to Afghanistan
The Government will make three important decisions today which in various ways will strengthen and improve Sweden's support to Afghanistan. The decisions concern both our military contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the design of a new strategy for our development assistance to Afghanistan.
Welcome news about Russian timber tariffs - planned increase stopped
Russia announced today that it is stopping the planned increase in export tariffs on round timber that would have been implemented at the turn of the year.
"This breathing space gives us scope to continue the work of finding a long-term solution, says Minister for Trade Dr Björling.
