Pressconference at the Nordic and Baltic Foreign ministers meeting in Helsinki. Photo: Euro Kuosmanen
Reinforced diplomatic cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries
The Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers have today, Tuesday September 1, signed a memorandum of understanding on the posting of diplomats at each other's missions abroad. This means that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs can rent office space for Swedish staff at the embassies and consulates of other Nordic and Baltic countries. In this way, flexible and cost-effective postings are created in countries where we previously had no representation.
"This memorandum of understanding signed by our eight countries is concrete evidence of our solidarity and our strengthened diplomatic cooperation," say the foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries in a joint statement.
Hanaa Edwar Photo: Julia Servenius/UD
Hanna Hellquist meets human rights activist
State Secretary Hanna Hellquist met well-known human rights activist Hanaa Edwar from Iraq on Tuesday. They spoke about the human rights situation in Iraq and developments in the country. Ms Edwar is a lawyer and General Secretary of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association. She works to improve human rights and the situation of women in Iraq.
Gunilla Carlsson visits the Horn of Africa
Today the Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms Gunilla Carlsson, arrived in the severely drought affected Horn of Africa region. During her trip to Kenya and Somalia, the Minister is following up on delivery of Swedish humanitarian assistance to the affected countries on the Horn of Africa is.
New Ambassadors to Uganda and Belgium
Urban Andersson has been appointed Ambassador in Kampala, Uganda and Ulrika Sundberg has been appointed Ambassador to Belgium, based in Stockholm.
"Swedish fashion exports strong as steel"
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling presented the annual Fashion Export Prize in connection with the Habit Fashion Awards fashion gala, which was held during Stockholm Fashion Week. The winner of the Fashion Export Prize was Eton Shirts.
A Somali woman holds her malnourished children queuing for food in Badbado camp for internally displaced persons (IPDS). Photo: UN Photo / Stuart Price
More effective crisis management to prevent famine
Helping to enhance crisis management capacity in the Horn of Africa countries is imperative to prevent such famine from happening again, write Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Director-General of Sida Charlotte Petri Gornitzka.
Raoul Wallenberg´s half-sister Nina Lagergren is a member of the National Committee and has played a leading role in efforts to clarify Wallenberg´s fate and in talking about his deeds. These are aims she shares with Carl Bildt.Photo:Charlotte S Lindquist
Raoul Wallenberg Year 2012 launched
On Thursday, the National Committee for the Raoul Wallenberg Year 2012 held its first meeting. The Committee has been established to draw attention to the life and deeds of Raoul Wallenberg 100 years after his birth.
Gunilla Carlsson to speak at opening of Stockholm World Water Week 2011
On Monday 22 August, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will hold the opening address at World Water Week 2011, arranged by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). This year's theme is Water in an Urbanising World'.
Sweden to contribute SEK 40 million to the Palestinian Authority
Sweden is to contribute SEK 40 million this year via the EU financing mechanism PEGASE (Palestinian-European Mechanism for Management of Socio- Economic Aid) in direct support to the Palestinian Authority. "The Palestinian Authority has made great progress in its state-building efforts and I think it is important that Sweden continues to support their work", says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
African LGBT activists visit Stockholm for Pride Week
This week, 15 LGBT activists from southern and eastern Africa are visiting Sweden to take part in Stockholm Pride. The participants come from countries such as Sudan, Uganda and Mozambique. The visit has been made possible thanks to aid from Sweden's Embassy in Zambia.
