Sweden welcomes LGBT decision at UN
Following pressure from Sweden and other countries the United Nations General Assembly decided today to reintroduce the reference to sexual orientation in the resolution on extrajudicial and summary executions that was jointly presented by the Nordic countries. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt welcomes the decision:
"Sweden and other countries have worked hard to keep this important reference and we are very pleased that our work has paid off."
Sweden to close five Embassies
The Government has today decided to close Sweden's Embassies in Buenos Aires, Brussels, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Luanda. The five embassies will be closed during 2011.
"This painful decision is a consequence of the recent decision of the Riksdag to cut funding to the Government Offices by SEK 300 million," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
New Head of EU Permanent Representation and new Director-General for Administrative Affairs at Ministry for Foreign Affairs
At the government meeting today, the Government appointed Dag Hartelius as Head of the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU, and Fredrik Jörgensen as the new Director-General for Administrative Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Carl Bildt on the death of Richard Holbrooke
"He was no doubt formidable as an enemy, but I am certain he was even more formidable as a friend." So writes Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in the magazine `Foreign Policy´, marking the death of top US diplomat Richard Holbrooke.
Mr Holbrooke played a key part in reaching a peace agreement in the Balkan conflict and was the US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"He combined the skills of the diplomat with the determination and frankness of the seasoned politician. He had a keen sense not only for what was necessary, but also for what was politically possible", Mr Bildt writes.
Commission gives go-ahead to enhanced cooperation on single European patent
The European Commission has responded to the request submitted by Sweden and eleven other Member States on 7 December and produced a proposal for enhanced cooperation on a single European patent.
"I warmly welcome the Commission's proposal. I am pleased that the Commission has acted so quickly, as it proves that this issue is a high priority" says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
Christian Leffler to top job in EU External Action Service
Christian Leffler has been appointed by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to a top post in the EU's new European External Action Service (EEAS), as Managing Director for the Americas (North, Central and South America and the Caribbean).Photo: Friends of Europe
Christian Danielsson appointed European Commission Deputy Secretary General
Christian Danielsson was today appointed to one of the highest positions in the European Commission. As Deputy Secretary General at the European Commission, he will be responsible for relations with the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. In his post, he will report to Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
Mr Danielsson has most recently been Ambassador and Head of the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU, including during the Swedish Presidency in the second half of 2009. His previous posts have included Director of the Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and Deputy Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Günter Verheugen. When Sweden joined the EU, Mr Danielsson was a member of the first Swedish cabinet under Commissioner Anita Gradin.
Lucia procession for ambassadors
Lucia Day is celebrated on 13 December, and the occasion was marked by 104 ambassadors in Stockholm, who mingled over a glass of glögg in the Blue Drawing Room at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Suddenly the lights were dimmed and the buzz in the room died down. A Lucia procession from Adolf Fredrik´s Music School slowly entered the room, singing sweetly.
Clean water is life
In a large and beautiful room - the Blue Drawing Room - at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, some 30 people gathered last week, full of anticipation. They are passionate about building up Iraq as a modern and sustainable society, and for this reason they were presented with a diploma from Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
Comments by Fredrik Reinfeldt
"Saturday's events in central Stockholm lead many people to ask whether Sweden has become less safe. What occurred is unwanted and unacceptable. We must safeguard the open society where people can live together side by side."
