Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Sweden for talks
Today, 3 June 2012, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt have met US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for discussions. This is the first time in 36 years that Sweden has had a bilateral visit from a US Secretary of State. The discussions centred on the difficult situation in Syria, the development of the economic situation in Europe, freedom of the Internet, and the Baltic Sea.
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Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Environment Minister Lena Ek and Crown Princess Victoria met US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at Skeppsbron in Stockholm.
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After discussions, the party travelled by boat to Vaxholm.
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After the conference it was then time for further discussions with Prime Minister Reinfeldt.
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The day ended with a press conference.
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At the press conference later on in the day, Prime Minister Reinfeldt, Foreign Minister Bildt and Secretary Clinton all emphasised the good cooperation between Sweden and the United States. Secretary Clinton began by praising the work done by Sweden on climate change, gender equality and the freedom of the Internet.
Focus on the situation in Syria
A recurring theme discussed during Secretary Clinton's visit to Stockholm has been the difficult situation in Syria.
"It is important for us to ensure that we have a unified voice and to cooperate globally based on the UN and Peace Envoy Kofi Annan's plan, in order to increase pressure on the regime. There is a danger of civil war and we must intensify our efforts. The people of Syria want and deserve change," said Secretary Clinton.
Secretary Clinton also mentioned that she had been in close contact with Kofi Annan and with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergej Lavrov about Syria. Regarding Syria, Prime Minister Reinfeldt stated that both Sweden and the United States strongly support Kofi Annan's plan for peaceful development.
US supports Europe
As well as the situation in Syria, the discussions with Prime Minister Reinfeldt also focused on the European crisis.
"The situation in Europe is important for the United States, there is substantial joint trade," said Prime Minister Reinfeldt.
He pointed out that there is still a northern European growth corridor with better development.
Secretary Clinton regretted the economic difficulties facing certain parts of Europe.
"Europe has to decide for itself how to handle the economic crisis, but the US is obviously involved and is giving all the support we can," she said.
Discussions on the Baltic Sea and the environment
Foreign Minister Bildt and Defence Minister Karin Enström also took Secretary Clinton on a boat trip in the Stockholm archipelago. The discussions were mostly about the economic significance of the Baltic Sea region, environmental risks and security.
In addition, Environment Minister Lena Ek and Secretary Clinton hosted a conference on how Swedish companies and the general public can be involved in reducing short-lived climate pollutants. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria also took part in the conference, along with representatives of Swedish business, environmental researchers and young people. The conference was held under the auspices of the Global Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCACSLCP).
36 years since last bilateral visit
This weekend's visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was historic. It was the first bilateral visit to Sweden by a US Secretary of State for 36 years. The last time was back in May 1976.
