Iran's Ambassador summoned to Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Iran's Ambassador in Stockholm was summoned today to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to meet State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage. Mr Belfrage delivered a sharply worded message to Ambassador Eslami concerning the locally engaged UK embassy staff in Tehran who are being detained by Iranian authorities.
Sweden sends election observers to Afghanistan
The Government decided today to contribute Swedish observers to the EU Election Observation Mission in Afghanistan. The elections will start on 20 August 2009. The Swedish contribution will initially consist of one long-term observer and two observers linked to the Embassy in Kabul. Sweden is prepared to send additional long- and short-term observers if the EU so requests.
The Swedish Presidency opens with meeting between the Directors-General
For two days, on 2 and 3 July, the most senior foreign policy officials of the EU Member States, the Directors-General for Political Affairs, will meet for informal discussions of EU foreign policy. Björn Lyrvall, who is Sweden's Director-General for Political Affairs and will chair the meeting, has given an interview.
Swedish Embassy returns to Baghdad
On 1 July, the Swedish Embassy for Iraq will return to Baghdad, having previously operated from Amman. On the same day, the Embassy will take over the local Presidency of the European Union in Iraq. However, the Embassy's formal opening ceremony will be held at a later date.
Owing to the current security situation in Iraq, visa and residence permit applications will continue to be processed by Swedish embassies in neighbouring countries.
Carl Bildt in Berlin
Today, Monday 29 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt visited Berlin where he addressed the German Parliament (the Bundestag) and had a bilateral meeting with German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In his speech Mr Bildt talked about priorities and challenges for the Swedish Presidency of the European Union. The discussion with Mr Steinmeier covered current foreign policy issues, in addition to the Presidency.
Carl Bildt addressed The Council of Italy and the United States
On 27 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Carl Bildt addressed the Council for the Italy and the United States in Venice and began by saying: "To start with the obvious: the state of the world is more demanding, more difficult and in key areas also more dangerous than just a few years ago".
The Government sets up a Business and Development Council
The Government has decided to set up a Business and Development Council to assist the Government with advice on the best ways of making use of the Swedish business sector's experience and skills in developing countries.
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling visits Jordan and Syria
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling has visited the capitals of Jordan and Syria, Amman and Damascus, along with Swedish companies to stimulate increased trade between those countries and Sweden.
EU meeting with Zimbabwe's Prime Minister
The EU today initiated a political dialogue with Zimbabwe at a Troika meeting in Brussels. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt participated and emphasised the importance of human rights in the country.
Skeppsholmen to be centre for foreign ministers meeting
The Modern Museum and the Swedish Museum of Architecture are to be the centre for the EU informal meeting of foreign ministers to be held in Stockholm this autumn on 4-5 September. As holder of the Presidency of the EU, Sweden and Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will host the meeting, which all of the EU Member States' and candidate countries' foreign ministers are expected to attend, accompanied by numerous journalists.
