Ewa Björling leads transatlantic project to boost trade
Tomorrow, 12 May, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will lead the "Trans-Atlantic Task Force on Trade", a project group to promote increased transatlantic trade and analyse how the EU and the United States can work together to strengthen free trade and the ongoing Doha Round negotiations.
Outside the meeting room in Greenland's capital. From the left: foreign ministers Lene Espersen (Denmark), Carl Bildt (Sweden), Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (USA) and Under-Secretary of State Jaakko Laajava (Finland). Photo: Joakim Larsson
Search and Rescue (SAR) agreement signed at Arctic meeting
Foreign ministers from countries around the North Pole agreed on Thursday on a joint aeronautical and maritime search and rescue capability in the event that a major accident occurs in the region. For the first time, the Arctic Council, which includes the five Nordic countries plus the US, Russia, Canada and representatives of indigenous peoples, has signed an agreement that is legally binding for the organisation's member states.
Swedish strategy for Arctic region adopted
The Government adopted a Swedish strategy for policy in the Arctic region on Thursday, the same day that Sweden formally takes over the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, a cooperation organisation for states with territory and borders north of the Arctic Circle. The Chairmanship runs for a two-year period.
Environmental issues high on the agenda
The Arctic has unique nature and is very sensitive to environmental impact. The area is severely affected by the ongoing process of climate change. Temperatures have risen twice as quickly in the Arctic as elsewhere on Earth.
The aim of the international operation in Libya is to protect civilians. Here, a doctor on the roof of the Benghazi court building. Photo: Aljazeera English/Flickr (CC)
Go-ahead for Libya operation
On Friday the Riksdag gave its approval for the Government's proposal to send Swedish armed forces to Libya. Sweden's participation will contribute to maintaining a no-fly zone. The operation involves a Swedish armed force of around 130 people, consisting of air defence forces and support resources, who will be able to participate for a maximum of three months.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt deplores death in Côte d'Ivoire
"I am deeply saddened to learn that Swedish citizen Zahra Abidi has fallen victim to the ongoing conflict in Côte d'Ivoire," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in a statement on Friday.
The Internet - a question of human rights
We must reduce the 'digital divide' in the world and transfer technologies between rich and poor countries, according to Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression:
"The Internet is ultimately a matter of human rights and is strongly linked to the UN Millennium Development Goals," he says.
Closer economic cooperation between Sweden and Russia
On 30 March, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will receive Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is visiting Stockholm with a broad delegation. The meetings will take place within the framework of the Swedish-Russian Steering Committee, which is a trade and economic cooperation forum at ministerial level.
Carl Bildt welcomes decision on no-fly zone over Libya
"I welcome the UN Security Council decision that gives a mandate to stop attacks by Gaddafi on Libya's civilian population through military force. I hope that the measures made possible by the Security Council resolution can lead to a political process that entails a new Libya without Gaddafi. As regards a no-fly zone, we are now waiting for NATO's decision. Should NATO request Sweden's assistance, we will consider such a request.", says Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt.
New strategy for aid initiatives in Belarus 2011-2014
The Government today adopted a new strategy for aid initiatives in Belarus for the period 2011-2014. The strategy focuses on additional initiatives to support democratic development and respect for human rights in the country, a need that has become more apparent in light of the presidential elections in December last year and the repressive actions that followed.
Sweden provides aircraft and support to those affected in Libya
Sweden is providing an aircraft for humanitarian evacuations and SEK 33 million for support to those affected in Libya.
"Developments in Libya have resulted in a humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of people," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. "Many people have tried to escape the regime's violence against the civilian population. I am pleased that Sweden can provide concrete assistance to those affected."
Tuesday: Bildt in Nablus, East Jerusalem
Carl Bildt's tour of the Middle East continues. On Tuesday the Minister for Foreign Affairs visited East Jerusalem and Al-Quds University, where he met students and gave a lecture on "Economic opportunities and political challenges in the Middle East and North Africa". Mr Bildt emphasised the major economic opportunities existing in the region, provided that both political and economic reforms are implemented and trade and economic cooperation between countries in the region increase.
