Minister for Defence Karin Enström and Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt with Polands Minister of Foreign Affairs RadosBaw Sikorski and Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak. Photo: Polish MFA/Tomasz Wajda
Neighbourly relations and defence cooperation with Poland
On 13 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for Defence Karin Enström met their Polish counterparts RadosBaw Sikorski and Tomasz Siemoniak. The four ministers discussed a range of issues - from the development of bilateral relations and defence cooperation to current EU issues such as relations with Ukraine and the other countries in the Eastern Partnership.
"This meeting is the first in this format and is an expression of the close cooperation that has grown between us. Poland is a close neighbouring country and one of our most important cooperation partners," says Mr Bildt.
New members of the UN Human Rights Council
The UN General Assembly today elected 18 new members to the Human Rights Council. With the support of the Nordic countries, Sweden was a candidate for one of the three seats primarily reserved for western European countries. The three seats in the group went to the United States, Germany and Ireland.
- Sweden will continue to be an active observer in the Human Rights Council and a clear voice for human rights in the world, says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
Increased UN support for internet freedom and security
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly's First Committee conducted its annual consideration of the UN resolution on information technology, telecommunications and international security introduced by the Russian Federation in 1998. During the consideration, Sweden, with the support of some 30 countries, gave an explanation of vote in order to incorporate the internet freedom perspective. The explanation of vote emphasised that international law, including human rights, also applies online. It also stressed that issues concerning the future development of the internet should be based on a multi-stakeholder model that also includes business and civil society representatives.
In various international forums where internet issues are discussed, Sweden is one of the countries that most strongly drives the efforts for internet freedom. At last year's consideration of the UN resolution, Sweden also gave an explanation of vote, gaining the support of around ten countries.
Carl Bildt stresses internet freedom at ASEM Summit
The ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) Summit started on Monday in Vientiane, Laos. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl is present at the forum for informal dialogue between the EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland and 22 Asian countries. The ASEM Summit provides an opportunity for Asian and European leaders to discuss global political trends and economic challenges.
"Sweden raised the issue of internet freedom and security. Internet freedom is receiving increasing attention and becoming a topic of discussion in a number of Asian countries. That´s why we believe it is important to put these issues on the agenda," says Mr Bildt from the Summit in Laos.
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling to host world's largest book club
1 November on the promotion calendar is the launch of literature month, involving projects around the world to promote Sweden's export of literature. The grand finale will take place on Thursday 22 November at the Press Centre at Rosenbad, with a number of Swedish authors in attendance. The entire event is to be broadcast live on this website, making it an opportunity for the attending authors and readers in nations around the globe to discuss Swedish literature in the world's largest book club. Also keep an eye on the website for daily releases from The Swedish reading race with webcasts from our Embassies.
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling. Photo: Benjamin Suomela/Norden.org
Mining projects a priority
NordMin is the name given to a joint Nordic mining project launched by the Government today as part of Sweden´s package of priorities for its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2013.
"Mining is prospering and provides many jobs in Sweden and other Nordic countries," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling, who is also responsible for Nordic cooperation.
Fredrik Reinfeldt will present the programme this afternoon. Photo: Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org
More action in the Nordic Council of Ministers
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will present next year´s programme for the Nordic Council of Ministers at the Nordic Council session in Helsinki this afternoon. The Presidency of the Council alternates between the five Nordic countries. Next year it will be Sweden´s turn.
Ewa Björling, the minister responsible for Nordic cooperation, is pleased that Sweden is taking over the Presidency and looks forward to pursuing Sweden´s priorities.
"We have worked hard to put together a programme that will be sharp and focus on the right issues. There´s going to be less talk and more action," says Dr Björling.
Carl Bildt and Lucinda Creighton at Mr Bildts office at the MFA. Photo: Josefin Ekström/MFA
Meeting for Europe
On Monday afternoon, Carl Bildt met Ireland's Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton to discuss some of the issues currently facing Europe. Ireland will hold the Presidency of the EU during the first half of 2013, and will lead the Council of the European Union.
"Ireland and Sweden agree that the EU must remain open to new members. Ms Creighton and I have had excellent talks on the best way of moving the enlargement process forward during the Irish EU Presidency. We have also discussed various ways to strengthen the EU's global role, for example by means of a European peace institute," Mr Bildt commented after the meeting.
Development ministers issue joint statement following report of embezzlement
On Friday 19 October 2012, the Office of the Auditor General of Uganda published a report that was strongly critical of the Ugandan Government´s administration of development assistance from Denmark, Norway, Ireland and Sweden.
"We want full clarity with regard to the scale of the irregularities. If the information is correct, there must be legal consequences. We will hold in-depth discussions with the authorities in Uganda. We will therefore meet with the Auditor General on 25 October and Prime Minister Mbabazi on 29 October. When we know more about the circumstances of what has happened we will decide how we will act."
Minister for Foreign Affairs receives open letter about Russia
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt received an open letter from the Riksdag delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Wednesday concerning the situation in Russia. The letter, which was prompted by a recently conducted review of Russia, was handed over by Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin (Moderate Party) and Björn von Sydow (Social Democratic Party). The entire Riksdag delegation expressed great concern in the letter over democracy and human rights developments in Russia.
