Sweden supports anti-corruption work of Global Fund
At the latest Global Fund Replenishment Meeting, pledges were made to increase contributions by 20 per cent. However, Sweden is concerned about extensive examples of irregularities and corruption that the Fund has uncovered. Sweden is waiting with its pledge until the Fund returns with an action plan to remedy the irregularities.
Swedish inventions through Indian eyes
Adjustable spanners in the deepest Indian countryside and Swedish mobile phones in the hustle and bustle of New Delhi. The Swedish Embassy in India´s capital has organised a well-publicised competition where the task was to take photos of Swedish inventions and innovations in an Indian context. First prize is a trip to Sweden.
African ambassadors meet Minister for International Development Cooperation
The large conference room at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, with its red checked curtains, was filled with ambassadors from African countries. They had the opportunity to mingle over a cup of coffee and biscuits. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs Africa Department was present, as was Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, who posed a rhetorical question, both to herself and to the ambassadors.
"Are we honest enough with each other and do we listen carefully enough? I think we can get better at it," she said.
The aim of the meeting was to provide information about the future development of Swedish foreign policy and to create stronger diplomatic links with African countries.
By horse-drawn carriage to the Royal Palace
Horse-drawn carriages waited outside the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Gustav Adolfs Torg in Stockholm to collect the newly appointed ambassadors to present their letters of credence to the King. They travel to the palace by horse-drawn carriage, a tradition that is much appreciated. One by one throughout the morning the ambassadors arrive at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. They stop for a short chat in the Blue Drawing Room before being escorted to the carriages waiting outside. After presenting their letters of credence, they can officially serve as ambassadors to Sweden. Today, it was the turn of representatives from Portugal, Spain, Bangladesh and Laos to present their letters of credence.
"All the EU's neighbours have the potential to be close political allies"
A review of the EU's policies in relation to its closest neighbours has been in progress since July this year. The review was launched by Council conclusions on the European Neighbourhood Policy in July, followed by a letter from High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle to EU foreign ministers, with a number of questions about future policy implementation. On 6 October, Carl Bildt and his Polish colleague Radoslaw Sikorski wrote a joint response. In their letter they write:
"While the ENP is addressed to 16 of the EU's closest neighbours, those countries and their aspirations vary from one to another. Some are European and thus enjoy special status in accordance with the Treaties, others will remain neighbours of Europe. Yet all of them have the potential to be close political allies and to become more integrated with the EU."
Embassies open in La Paz, Ouagadougou, Phnom Penh and Chisinau
Four of the ten new embassies approved by the Government have now opened. These are the embassies in La Paz (Bolivia), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Chisinau (Moldova). Work is well underway at the other six locations Pristina (Kosovo), Tirana (Albania), Tblisi (Georgia), Kigali (Rwanda), Monrovia (Liberia) and Bamako (Mali) - so that embassies there can open in the autumn.
All ten of the new missions abroad will have their own websites as soon as they are operational. They can be accessed via the following web address: www.swedenabroad.com.
The services provided by the new embassies will be limited. For example, they will not issue visas or ordinary passports.
No development without women
"There will be no development without the participation of women."
This was the conclusion drawn by Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson at today´s launch of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report 'From conflict and crisis to renewal: generations of change'. The report describes how conflicts and crises affect people's lives. Also present at the launch was Deputy Executive Director of the UNFPA Mari Simonen. Ms Simonen stressed that "when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resistant to conflicts and disasters and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their communities."
First interviews of the electoral period
The Statement of Government Policy has been presented. Wednesday 6 October was the first working day of the new electoral period for the Government ministers. The election campaign does not seem to have taken it out of the ministers at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Quite the reverse: they appear to be raring to get stuck into the challenges of the next four years. In three interviews, Gunilla Carlsson, Ewa Björling and Carl Bildt share their thoughts on the future.
Modern and realistic aid
When the budget for development cooperation increases in 2011, the Government will strengthen Sweden's initiatives in the areas of particular priority within development cooperation - democracy and human rights, environment and climate, and gender equality and the role of women in development. The focus on Africa will be strengthened, along with Sweden's humanitarian commitments. Additionally, there will be a special Millennium Development Goal initiative targeting children and young people, and investment in Business for Development and Information and Communication Technology for Development.
EU patent on agenda at Competitiveness Council
Ewa Björling is representing Sweden at the European Competitiveness Council in Luxembourg today, 11 October. The EU patent, innovation and the functioning of the internal market will be discussed by the Council.
"The Government welcomes and supports the Commission's proposal. It is cost-effective, legally secure and meets the requirements of the Swedish business sector. A single EU patent is a high priority issue for the Government, and would be of great importance to the Swedish business sector," says Dr Björling.
