Sweden demands cease fire and withdrawal of Russian troops
Russia's Chargé d'Affaires in Sweden, Michail Skupov, was summoned today to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs where he was notified of Sweden's serious view of Russia's conduct in Georgia.
Carl Bildt to Georgia
Today Carl Bildt, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and Terry Davis, Council of Europe Secretary General, travel to Georgia.
"The Swedish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers is convinced that sustainable peace and stability are based on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law," says Carl Bildt in a statement.
Russia's justification of its offensive deeply ominous
"The Russian offensive against and in Georgia is an act of aggression that is incompatible with international law and fundamental principles of security and cooperation in Europe," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in a statement on Saturday.
Carl Bildt has given a more detailed analysis in his blog (in Swedish only).
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt on the situation in Georgia
"The way in which the situation in South Ossetia has deteriorated is cause for profound concern. It is extremely important that all those involved show restraint and play their part in bringing about a political solution," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in a statement.
International seminar on Chad
"The EU, the UN and Africa must work together on a longterm policy for Chad. This seminar is a way for us to demonstrate our support for cooperation of this kind. By participating in EUFOR we have been able to help people affected by conflicts and other situations of violence in Chad and Darfur," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
Carl Bildt on the military coup in Mauritania
"Today's military coup in Mauritania is a serious setback for a country which has successfully established a functioning democratic system after a long period of authoritarian rule.
New Consul-General in Hong Kong and Macau
Today the Government appointed Lars Danielsson as Consul-General in Hong Kong and Macau. He has previously served as State Secretary and foreign policy adviser at the Prime Minister's Office and as chair of the Defence Commission. He has also served at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in New York, the Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva and the Swedish Embassy in Beijing. (Photo: Pawel Flato)
Carl Bildt on the death of Alexander Solzhenitsyn
"Alexander Solzhenitsyn was undoubtedly one of the great authors of our time and a central figure in the story of Russia's tragic 20th century. Like no one else, he could capture in his books the reality of the Stalinist hell that was the Soviet Union.
In the books One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, The First Circle and The Gulag Archipelago he created some of the truly great works of contemporary history and literature.
On a day like this we have reason to remember him and the great work he did for his Russia."
Carl Bildt on the decision by Turkey's constitutional court
"I am very pleased to note that the attempts to carry out, in the guise of legal action, what would in effect have been a coup against the elected government in Turkey have today been rejected," said Mr Bildt when he commented on the court decision on Wednesday.
(Foto: Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org )
WTO parties must take responsibility for continued negotiations
"After the collapse of the WTO talks yesterday, the parties to the talks must take their responsibility and think about how the Doha Round can be moved forward. Both US chief negotiator Susan Schwab and WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy have said that despite everything, the Doha Round is still alive. The hope is to be able to resume negotiations in the near future," says Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
