Birgitta Ohlsson calls for preventive work against extremism
Birgitta Ohlsson, the Swedish minister responsible for democracy issues, declared Sweden's stance of policy on preventing extremism at the international conference 'Learning from the other'. The conference was held at EXIT Fryshuset in Stockholm. At the conference the participants discussed how to use experience from working with one violent subgroup to another. The arrangement was organised by EXIT Fryshuset, The British Council and University of St. Andrews.
New ESS agreement signed
Work on the European Spallation Source (ESS) to be built in Lund is making headway. On Thursday night representatives of all the countries involved in the partnership signed an agreement on participation in the planning and construction of the ESS.
Four Swedish Ministers invited to World Economic Forum
From Wednesday 26 until Sunday 30 January, the World Economic Forum's annual summit will be held in Davos, Switzerland. The forum engages leaders from various fields to discuss how the situation in the world can be improved. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for Finance Anders Borg, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will be there to represent the Swedish Government. The theme of this year's summit is Shared Norms for the New Reality'. This year's summit is the 41st of its kind, and close to 35 heads of state and government, a large number of ministers, almost 900 CEOs and others are expected to take part.
Gunilla Carlsson spoke at Humanitarian Funding Conference
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson was the main speaker at a high-level conference on humanitarian funding held yesterday by the UN. The purpose of the conference was to draw attention to growing humanitarian needs on a global scale and to give individual countries the opportunity to disclose their levels of humanitarian aid for 2011. In her address, the Minister emphasised the importance of results and accountability in humanitarian aid. Ms Carlsson presented the Swedish humanitarian aid for 2011, which amounts to SEK 4.6 billion.
Bildt: "The world must talk about Internet security"
We must have an international dialogue on freedom and security on the Internet and on countries' attempts to restrict citizens' access to information. This is the view of Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, who will be giving the issue priority over the coming years.
"We must have a far more vigorous international debate on what to do, and we must intensify international cooperation and develop the international legal regimes," says Carl Bildt.
Erlandsson and Björling to attend World Cuisine Contest in Lyon
Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson and Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will both be visiting Lyon, France on 25-26 January to attend the Bocuse d'Or, the World Cuisine Contest.
Tommy Myllymäki will represent Sweden, facing 23 other chefs, all of whom are among the absolute world elite.
OECD report on the Swedish economy
Minister for Finance Anders Borg commented on the OECD Country Review of Sweden at a seminar today.
"Due to the Government's reforms to get more people into work, we are now in a stronger position than many other countries. But we must continue to improve the functioning of the labour market by making it more worthwhile for low and middle-income earners to work," says Anders Borg.
"At the same time, the Government must also safeguard Sweden's position with strong public finances. We will protect and strengthen the methods we use to deal with crises in the financial system and banks in crisis, without great burden on public finances. The problems that countries around the world are experiencing with their public finances underline the importance of this," says Anders Borg.
Fredrik Reinfeldt received Estonian President
On Tuesday 18 January Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt took part in the state visit by Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Fredrik Reinfeldt and Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
Issues at the meeting's agenda included the bilateral relations between Sweden and Estonia, the economic and financial situation, and cooperation within the EU Baltic Sea.
Fredrik Reinfeldt to attend UK Nordic Baltic Summit in London
On 19-20 January, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will take part in a summit of prime ministers from the Nordic and Baltic countries and the UK in London. The meeting will bring together heads of government, policy innovators, researchers, business leaders and others to discuss how best to foster prosperity and competitiveness in times of reform and economic crisis.
Sweden's Minister for EU Affairs to honour Raoul Wallenberg
Minister for EU Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson visited Budapest on 13-14 January. Together with the Hungarian Raoul Wallenberg Association, she visited the Wallenberg memorial in Szent István Park.
