This year, Sweden will be changing its peace and security operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. This change is taking place to adapt to the increasingly stable situation in these countries. In future, there will be a greater focus on development assistance and civilian operations, while military support will gradually be phased out.

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On 20 December the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Institute and the Living History Forum presented the Raoul Wallenberg Year 2012 and the exhibition that will tour at least six countries next year.

• Web portal: the Raoul Wallenberg Year 2012

On 19 December, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström received the OECD evaluation of Sweden's labour migration reform. The report shows, among other things, that Sweden's system of labour migration appears to be the most open among all OECD countries and there are no indications that the Swedish labour migration system results in lower pay for the domestic labour force.

The OECD also recommends that Sweden strengthens its mechanisms to ensure that employers follow the rules and live up to the terms of employment promised.

• Read more on OECD web page
• Summary of the report (pdf 843 kB)

The difference in employment levels between Swedish-born and foreign-born people is too large. It must be made easier for immigrants to find work. But to succeed, cooperation within several policy areas is required. In the Government newsletter this week you can read more about this.

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Today Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt met the people who will make up the Swedish delegation to the Northern Future Forum on 8-9 February in Stockholm, when the Nordic, British and Baltic prime ministers visit Stockholm. The delegation combines women business leaders, entrepreneurs and journalists who will contribute their personal experience of the main subjects discussed during Northern Future Forum: Women entrepreneurs and leaders; and Senior citizens in the labour force.

• Presentation of the Swedish delegation
• Webb-TV: Meet some of the Swedish delegates
• Pictures of the delegates available for downloading

On 8-9 December, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt participated in the European Council summit. The economic crisis dominated the discussions, which resulted in a strengthening of economic cooperation between the euro countries through a forthcoming intergovernmental agreement.

• European Council 8-9 December 2011

On Monday 12 December, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt received this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureates: Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee from Liberia and Tawakkol Karman from Jemen.

• Press release: Fredrik Reinfeldt to receive this year´s Nobel Peace Prize laureates

On 9 December, the minister responsible for democracy issues, Birgitta Ohlsson, presented the Government's action plan to protect democracy against violent extremism. The action plan consists of 15 measures and SEK 62 million is being set aside in 2012-2014 to strengthen preventive work.
"I am proud to present the first Swedish action plan against violent extremism. We must defend the cornerstones of democracy, including the rule of law, freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights," says Birgitta Ohlsson.

• Press release: Government action plan against violent extremism

On Wednesday 7 December, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt held a consultation with the Riksdag's Committee on European Union Affairs ahead of the European Council summit on 8-9 December.
"The summit will focus more than ever before on the economic crisis," said Mr Reinfeldt in his opening speech.

• Read article about the meeting of the Committee on European Union Affairs