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.
Fees for foreign students to be introduced in autumn term of 2011
Today the Government will present the bill Competing on the basis of quality - tuition fees for foreign students to the Riksdag. The fees will apply to students outside the EU/EEA. Universities and higher education institutions will make their own decisions as to the size of the fee, based on the principle of full cost coverage. In connection with the introduction of fees, the Government proposes that two grant systems be launched.
- More information about the bill Competing on the basis of quality - tuition fees for foreign students
- Press release: Fees for foreign students to be introduced in autumn term of 2011
- Fact sheet: Competing on the basis of quality - tuition fees for foreign students
- FAQ - tuition fees for foreign students
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. Later today, at 13.30, Mr Bildt will chat about Swedish foreign policy on the Dagens Nyheter website.
Amendments to the Constitution of Sweden
The Government Bills A reformed Constitution, Constitutional protection for digital cinema and other matters concerning freedom of expression and The legal status of backup copies have been submitted to the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament). It is proposed that these amendments enter into force on 1 January 2011. Amendments to the Constitution require the Riksdag to take two identical decisions, with a general election in between.
Swedish support to Haitians in distress
Following the earthquake in Haiti, Sweden has contributed to relief efforts in various ways. Both the EU and the UN have sent personnel to assess what will be needed in the time ahead. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has already sent personnel with IT and communications equipment to Haiti to assist the UN and EU assessment and coordination teams on the spot
Birgitta Ohlsson appointed new Minister for EU Affairs
Birgitta Ohlsson, Member of the Riksdag for the Liberal Party, has today been appointed Minister for EU Affairs.
"I am pleased that Birgitta Ohlsson has accepted the position of Minister for EU Affairs. Birgitta Ohlsson has many years of foreign policy experience and is extremely committed to European issues," says Minister for Education Jan Björklund.
Ministers Bildt, Borg and Carlsson to Davos
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for Finance Anders Borg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will travel this week to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to take part in seminars and meet political and business leaders.
Holocaust conference: Ten years of the Stockholm Declaration
On Tuesday 26 January the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Living History Forum will jointly hold a conference to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Stockholm Declaration on the Holocaust. The speakers include Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Störe. The web cast starts at 13.00, today 26 January.
Cecilia Malmström steps down as Minister for EU Affairs
Today, Friday 22 January, Cecilia Malmström asked to be relieved from her post as minister. Ms Malmström will take up her new post as Sweden's EU Commissioner for Home Affairs once the European Parliament has approved the entire incoming European Commission. This is expected to take place on 9 February.
Sweden to open ten embassies and close six
Today the Government announced a number of changes in the Swedish Foreign Service. Ten embassies will be opened and six closed. The Government intends to strengthen Sweden's presence in for example the Caucasus, the Balkans and in West Africa. The embassies in Bratislava, Dakar, Dublin, Ljubljana, Luxembourg and Sofia will be closed in the course of this year.
