Decision on appointments
On 4 and 11 March the Government and the Government Offices decided on a total of seven appointments. For more information, see the press release below.
Earthquake in Chile
Following the earthquake off the coast of Chile on Saturday, the infrastructure in some parts of the country was seriously damaged. Those who have been unable to contact relatives in Chile who are Swedish citizens can call the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Consular Affairs and Civil Law Department. Contact can be made via the Government Offices switchboard on +46 8 405 10 00. People currently in Chile are urged to get in touch with their families in Sweden. Even those who earlier were unable to contact a relative in Chile and reported this to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and who have now had contact, should inform the Ministry of this.
Due to the earthquake, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is advising against unnecessary travel to the Chilean regions of Maule and Biobio.
Swedish embassy in Baghdad re-inaugurated
At a formal ceremony in the presence of the foreign ministers of Sweden and Iraq, Carl Bildt and Hoshyar Zebari, the Swedish embassy in Baghdad was re-inaugurated on 24 February.
Carl Bildt in Kurdistan
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt today opened the Swedish Consulate in Erbil in the Kurdistan region in Northern Iraq. During his visit, Mr Bildt also met Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Barhan Saleh and President Massoud Barzani. The programme also included meetings with several NGOs, among them Diakonia, Women Empowerment and The Gothenburg Initiative.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt to visit Lebanon, Iraq and Syria
Mr Bildt will visit Lebanon, Iraq and Syria on 23-28 February. In Lebanon Mr Bildt will meet Prime Minister Hariri, Parliament Speaker Berri and others, and his programme in Syria includes a meeting with Foreign Minister Mouallem.
Carl Bildt presents the Statement of Government Policy on Foreign Affairs
At 09.00 today, 17 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will present the Statement of Government Policy on Foreign Affairs in the Riksdag. Read more about the Statement via the link below. Later today, at 13.30, Mr Bildt will chat about Swedish foreign policy on the Dagens Nyheter website.
Freedom on the Internet
Freedom and security on the Internet are one of the great global challenges of the future. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt has initiated a debate on the subject and the Government will be prioritising these issues in 2010. Among other initiatives, Sweden will host a first international expert meeting.
Economic growth new area in aid and development policy
"Through this new policy, the Government clarifies its view regarding the importance of economic growth as a means of promoting development and reducing poverty. For the first time, a holistic approach is being taken regarding the importance of economic growth, and applies to both Swedish bilateral and multilateral development cooperation," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Bildt to travel to Brazil
Today, 10 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will begin his visit to Brazil. The programme will begin with a visit to São Paulo, where he will meet representatives of Swedish companies and others. He will then travel to the capital, Brasilia, for talks with Brazil's Minister of External Relations Celso Amorim.
Carl Bildt's visit to Mexico begins
The visit to Mexico has now begun, where Carl Bild meets Secretary of Foreign Affairs Patricia Espinosa. Global issues such as the economic crisis, development in the region and cooperation with the EU will be key components of the discussions.
