Official website for Swedish support for international involvement in Afghanistan
The Ministers for Foreign Affairs, International Development Cooperation and Defence today launched the 'Sweden in Afghanistan' web portal, which so far is only in Swedish. The portal reflects Sweden's long-term involvement in Afghanistan and aims, in a simple way, to provide a full picture of the Swedish involvement and how the four dimensions - civil, military, diplomacy and development assistance - interact. Further information can be found in a press release via the link below.
Royal Wedding approaching
The MFA media centre for foreign journalists who have come to Sweden to cover the Crown Princess's wedding is open. A number of brief lectures on topics such as the wedding tomorrow, the role of the monarchy in Sweden and royal weddings past and present will be held today at the press centre. The lectures, in English, are webcast here.
New ambassadors to Zimbabwe, the Czech Republic and Argentina
The Government today, 17 June, approved the appointment of three new ambassadors. They are Anders Lidén, who will be Sweden's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Inger Ultvedt, who will be Sweden's Ambassador to the Czech Republic and Charlotte Wrangberg, who will be Sweden's Ambassador to Argentina.
Stockholm China Forum
On 12-13 June, the Stockholm China Forum will hold its seventh meeting for transatlantic dialogue on and with China. One key issue on the agenda of the seventh Forum is how China's foreign and security policy is changing and what can be done to build sustainable relations between the US, Europe and China. Special attention will be given to the issue of Iran. A number of representatives of the Obama administration and leading think tanks in the US, Europe and China will attend. Sweden will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
Economic heavyweights to Stockholm
On 31 May-2 June, Minister for Finance Anders Borg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will host the World Bank Annual Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE).
The conference will gather the most prominent researchers in the area of development economics, bringing them together with decision and policy makers from all around the world. This year's participants include several Nobel laureates, among them Elinor Ostrom, Joseph Stiglitz, Eric Maskin, James Mirrlees and Robert Solow.
New Ambassadors to North Korea and Cambodia
The Government today, 3 June, approved the appointment of two new ambassadors. They are Sweden's new Ambassador to North Korea, Barbro Elm, and Sweden's new Ambassador to Cambodia, Anne Höglund.
Carl Bildt to attend EU-Western Balkans ministerial meeting in Sarajevo
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will take part in the EU ministerial meeting on the Western Balkans in Sarajevo on 2 June. Other participants in the meeting include foreign ministers from the region and representatives of the United States, Russia and Turkey.
Israel's Ambassador summoned to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
"In view of the very serious incident and the boarding of the humanitarian fleet, we summoned the Israeli Ambassador this morning and requested an explanation of what has occurred and what has happened to our compatriots," said State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage at a specially convened press conference on the events in the waters off Israel and Gaza on Monday morning. Mr Belfrage deeply deplored the loss of life.
New Ambassador in Georgia
The Government decided today, 27 May, that Diana Janse will be the new Ambassador in Georgia. Ms Janse has been stationed for the past thress years in the Ministers Office at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She has also served as Political Adviser to the EU Special Envoy for Southern Caucasus. Before that Ms Janse was stationed at Swedens Section Office in Afghanistan and worked mainly with political and security policy issues.
New ambassador in Romania
The Government decided today, 20 May, to appoint Anders Bengtcén as Sweden's Ambassador in Romania.
