Sustainable cities in China
A delegation from Tangshan, China, is currently visiting Sweden to conduct discussions on enhanced cooperation in the area of the environment.
"This is the exciting start of the broadest and longest term initiative for environmental technology that Sweden has taken in China," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
Statement by Carl Bildt on Burma/Myanmar
"I appeal to the authorities in Burma/Myanmar to cooperate fully with the international community and aid organisations, particularly with regard to visas, clearance and distribution of supplies, and access for aid workers to the areas affected, so that the much needed assistance can reach the people."
Ambassadors to Afghanistan and Malta appointed
Today the Government decided to appoint Svante Kilander as ambassador in Kabul. By doing so, Sweden is strengthening its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. Today the Government also appointed Ulla Gudmundson as Ambassador for Malta based in Stockholm. (Photo: Pawel Flato)
Sweden takes over the Chair of the Council of Europe
Today Sweden officially takes over the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The top priority is to strengthen respect for human rights.
"There is no doubt that the Council's most important responsibilities lie in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights and freedoms", Mr Bildt writes in his blog. Prior to taking over the chair, Mr Bildt also prepared the launch of the Council of Europe's online game to teach children basic Internet safety - the Wild Web Woods game!
Iraq Compact Annual Review Conference in Stockholm
Sweden will host the first Iraq Compact Annual Review Conference in Stockholm in Stockholm on 29 May 2008. Co-chairs UN and Iraq have invited all the UN Member States and a number of international organisations to take part in this conference. High-level representatives from some 80 countries are expected to come to Stockholm in connection with the conference.
Website for the Iraq conference now open
On 29 May, Sweden will be hosting the Iraq Compact Annual Review Conference in Stockholm (ICI). Representatives from some 80 countries are expected to come to Stockholm. As of 8 May 2008 information on the conference will be available at www.icistockholm.se
Sweden assumes Chair of the Council of Europe
Sweden is taking over the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for six months, as of 7 May. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will assume the Chair at a meeting of foreign ministers on 7 May in Strasbourg.
"The Council of Europe has the best system in the world for monitoring human rights"
As of 7 May, Sweden will hold the chairmanship of the Council of Europe. Thomas Hammarberg is a Swede and Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg with 47 member states to keep an eye on.
- The Council of Europe has the best system in the world for monitoring human rights, says Mr Hammarberg.
Gathering of Ambassadors from Latin America
On Tuesday Gunnar Wieslander, State Secretary to the Minister for Trade, met the Latin American ambassadors in Stockholm. All the ambassadors had private talks with the State Secretary to raise their own particular questions.
Carl Bildt awarded prize in Turkey
Carl Bildt will receive the 'Bosphorus Prize for European Understanding' from the eminent Turkish organisation TÜSAID in Ankara. The award will be presented by Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
