Foreign relations of Sweden#History
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{{Update|date=March 2024}}
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{{Politics of Sweden}}
The foreign policy of Sweden was formerly based on the premise that national security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain a neutral country in the event of war, with this policy lasting from 1814 in the context of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars until the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. In 2002, Sweden revised its security doctrine. The security doctrine at that point still stated that "Sweden pursues a policy of non-participation in military alliances," but permitted cooperation in response to threats against peace and security. The government also seeks to maintain Sweden's high standard of living. These two objectives required heavy expenditures for social welfare, defence spending at rates considered low by Western European standards (around 1.2% of GNP prior to 2022),{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS|title=Military expenditure (% of GDP)|author=WorldBank|work=report|access-date=October 5, 2015}} and close attention to foreign trade opportunities and world economic cooperation. In 2024, Sweden formally became part of a military alliance for the first time since the end of the War of the Sixth Coalition by joining NATO.
Foreign policy
The foreign policy of Sweden encompasses a range of themes over the centuries. Some of the main issues include:Neil Kent, A Concise History of Sweden (2008),Franklin D. Scott, Sweden: The Nation's History (1988)Erik Thomson, "Beyond the Military State: Sweden’s Great Power Period in Recent Historiography." History Compass 9.4 (2011): 269-283. [https://www.academia.edu/download/49373105/j.1478-0542.2011.00761.x20161005-27752-1l6o75l.pdf online]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}Patrick Salmon, Scandinavia and the great powers 1890-1940 (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=sx3JAH0LiMEC&dq=Scandinavia+and+the+great+powers+1890%E2%80%931940&pg=PR11 online].
- Sweden has historically pursued a policy of neutrality, aiming to avoid involvement in conflicts between major powers. This neutrality allowed Sweden to navigate the tumultuous European political landscape and maintain its sovereignty. It dropped the neutrality policy in 2022–2024 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and joined NATO on 7 March 2024.
- Sweden has sought to maintain a balance of power in Northern Europe, acting as a counterweight to dominant regional powers. This approach aimed to prevent any single power from gaining excessive influence and threatening Swedish interests.
- Sweden's historical dominance in the Baltic Sea region played a crucial role in shaping its diplomatic history. Through territorial expansion, Sweden established control over strategic territories, such as present-day Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and parts of Russia, impacting its relations with neighboring states.
- During the 17th and 18th centuries, Sweden emerged as a major European power, participating in conflicts such as the Thirty Years' War and the Great Northern War. Its diplomatic efforts were often influenced by power struggles with other European great powers, such as Russia and Poland.
- Sweden has actively engaged in peace mediation efforts, seeking to resolve conflicts and broker peace agreements. Notable examples include the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years' War, and various mediation efforts during the 20th century.
- Sweden has a longstanding tradition of promoting international cooperation, human rights, and humanitarian initiatives. It has been involved in the establishment of international organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations, and has championed causes such as humanitarian aid and disarmament.
- Sweden has pursued close ties and cooperation with its neighboring Nordic countries, particularly Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway. This commitment to Scandinavian unity has been reflected in diplomatic initiatives, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges.
- Sweden's relationship with the European Union (EU) has been a significant theme in its recent diplomatic history. While Sweden joined the EU in 1995, it has maintained a somewhat reserved approach, often balancing its national interests with EU membership.
- Sweden has been an advocate for global development and has provided substantial aid to developing countries. It has sought to address global inequalities and promote sustainable development through its aid programs, often challenging neocolonial practices.
- In the 21st century, Sweden has gained attention for its feminist foreign policy approach, which aims to integrate gender equality into its diplomatic efforts. Sweden has been a leading advocate for women's rights globally, emphasizing the inclusion and empowerment of women in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and development processes.
United Nations
{{Main|Sweden and the United Nations}}
Sweden has been a member of the United Nations since November 19, 1946, and participates actively in the activities of the organization, including as an elected member of the Security Council (1957–1958, 1975–1976, 1997–1998 and 2017–2018), providing Dag Hammarskjöld as the second elected Secretary-General of the UN, etc. The strong interest of the Swedish Government and people in international cooperation and peacemaking has been supplemented in the early 1980s by renewed attention to Nordic and European security questions.
Sweden decided not to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.{{cite news |title=Sweden declines to sign UN nuclear ban treaty |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20190712/sweden-declines-to-sign-un-nuclear-treaty |work=The Local |date=12 July 2019}}
European Union
File:EU15-1995 European Union map enlargement.svg
After the then Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson had submitted Sweden's application in July 1991 the negotiations began in February 1993. Finally, on January 1, 1995, Sweden became a member of the European Union. While some argued that it went against Sweden's historic policy of neutrality, where Sweden had not joined during the Cold War because it was seen as incompatible with neutrality, others viewed the move as a natural extension of the economic cooperation that had been going on since 1972 with the EU.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Sweden addressed this controversy by reserving the right not to participate in any future EU defence alliance. In membership negotiations in 1993–1994, Sweden also had reserved the right to make the final decision on whether to join the third stage of the EMU "in light of continued developments." In a nationwide referendum in November 1994, 52.3 percent of participants voted in favour of EU membership. Voter turnout was high, 83.3 percent of the eligible voters voted. The main Swedish concerns included winning popular support for EU cooperation, EU enlargement, and strengthening the EU in areas such as economic growth, job promotion, and environmental issues.
In polls taken a few years after the referendum, many Swedes indicated that they were unhappy with Sweden's membership in the EU. However, after Sweden successfully hosted its first presidency of the EU in the first half of 2001, most Swedes today have a more positive attitude towards the EU. The government, with the support of the Center Party, decided in spring 1997 to remain outside of the EMU, at least until 2002. A referendum was held on September 14, 2003. The results were 55.9% for no, 42.0% yes and 2.1% giving no answer ("blank vote").
Nordic Council
Swedish foreign policy has been the result of a wide consensus. Sweden cooperates closely with its Nordic neighbors, formally in economic and social matters through the Nordic Council of Ministers and informally in political matters through direct consultation.
Nonalignment
{{main|Sweden–NATO relations|Swedish neutrality}}
File:Swedish PM Stefan Löfven meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei 01.jpg with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, February 11, 2017]]
Swedish neutrality and nonalignment policy in peacetime may partly explain how the country could stay out of wars since 1814. Swedish governments have not defined nonalignment as precluding outspoken positions in international affairs. Government leaders have favored national liberation movements that enjoy broad support among developing world countries, with notable attention to Africa. During the Cold War, Sweden was suspicious of the superpowers, which it saw as making decisions affecting small countries without always consulting those countries. With the end of the Cold War, that suspicion has lessened somewhat, although Sweden still chooses to remain nonaligned. Sweden has devoted particular attention to issues of disarmament, arms control, and nuclear nonproliferation and has contributed importantly to UN and other international peacekeeping efforts, including the NATO-led peacekeeping forces in the Balkans. It sat as an observer in the Western European Union from 1995 to 2011, but it is not an active member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.
Sweden's engagement with NATO was especially strengthened during the term of Anders Fogh Rasmussen.{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/review//2013/Partnerships-NATO-2013/Sweden-partnerships/EN/index.htm|title=Sweden: a special NATO partner?|author=NATO Review|work=NATO Review|access-date=February 20, 2015}}
Sweden's nonalignment policy has led it to serve as the protecting power for a number of nations who don't have formal diplomatic relations with each other for various reasons. It currently represents the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations in North Korea for consular matters. On several occasions when the United Kingdom broke off relations with Iran (including the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the Salman Rushdie affair, and the 2011 storming of the British embassy in Tehran), Sweden served as the protecting power for the UK.
In May 2022, Sweden formally applied to join the NATO alliance. The public opinion in the Nordic region had changed in favour of joining NATO since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24 of the same year.{{cite news |last1=Emmott |first1=Robin |last2=Devranoglu |first2=Nevzat |title=Finland, Sweden apply to join NATO amid Turkish objections |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-submit-application-join-nato-2022-05-18/ |work=Reuters |date=18 May 2022 |language=en}}
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in March 2022 that her government would have to respond if Sweden became a NATO member.{{cite news |date=25 February 2022 |title=Russia Sends Bone-Chilling Message To Sweden & Finland; Threatens 'Military Implications' If They Go The Ukraine Way |publisher=The EurAsian Times |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/russia-sends-bone-chilling-message-to-sweden-threatens-with-military-implications-if-they-go-the-ukraine-way/}} However, in June 2022 President Vladimir Putin contradicted the statement, claiming that Sweden and Finland can "join whatever they want" on the condition that there will be no NATO military deployment in either country.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-29 |title=Putin issues fresh warning to Finland and Sweden on installing Nato infrastructure |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/29/russia-condemns-nato-invitation-finland-sweden |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}
Military
Sweden has employed its military on numerous occasions since the end of the Cold War, from Bosnia and Congo to Afghanistan and Libya. According to one study, "this military activism is driven both by the Swedish internationalist tradition of "doing good" in the world, but also for instrumental purposes. These include a desire for political influence in international institutions, an interest in collective milieu shaping, and a concern to improve the interoperability and effectiveness of the Swedish military."{{Cite journal |journal=The Oxford Handbook of Swedish Politics the Oxford Handbook of Swedish Politics |last1=Aggestam |first1=Lisbeth |last2=Hyde-Price |first2=Adrian |editor1-first=Jon |editor1-last=Pierre |date=December 17, 2015 |title=A Force for Good? |url=https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34477/chapter-abstract/292540430|language=en|doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199665679.001.0001 |isbn=9780199665679 |access-date=2024-01-29}}
Participation in international organizations
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- AfDB
- Amnesty International
- AsDB
- Australia Group
- BIS
- CBSS
- CERN
- Council of Europe
- EAPC
- EBRD
- ECE
- EIB
- ESA
- EU
- FAO
- G-9
- G-10
- IADB
- IAEA
- IBRD
- ICAO
- ICC
- ICCt
- ICRM
- IDA
- IEA
- IFAD
- IFC
- IFRCS
- IHO
- ILO
- IMF
- IMO
- Inmarsat
- Intelsat
- Interpol
- IOC
- IOM
- ISO
- ITU
- ITUC
- MINURSO
- NAC
- NATO
- NEA
- NIB
- Nordic Council
- NSG
- OECD
- OPCW
- OSCE
- PCA
- PFP
- Transport Community
- UN
- UNCTAD
- UNEP
- UNESCO
- UNHCR
- UNHRC
- UNIDO
- UNIKOM
- UNITAR
- UNMEE
- UNMIBH
- UNMIK
- UNMOGIP
- UNMOP
- UNOMIG
- UNTAET
- UNTSO
- UPU
- WCO
- WEU (observer)
- WFP
- WFTU
- WHO
- WIPO
- WMO
- WTrO
- Zangger Committee
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=Multilateral=
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|{{Flag|European Union}} |
|See 1995 enlargement of the European Union Sweden joined the European Union as a full member on 1 January 1995. |
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| See Sweden–NATO relations Sweden joined NATO as a full member on 7 March 2024. |
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Sweden maintains diplomatic relations with:
Africa
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|{{flag|Egypt }} | 25 November 1922 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 November 1922 when Harald Bildt took up the post of first Swedish Minister to Egypt.
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|{{flag|Mozambique }} | 25 June 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975.
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|{{flag|Nigeria }} | 3 October 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 October 1961.
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|{{flag|South Africa }} | See South Africa-Sweden relations
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|{{flag|Sudan }} | 27 October 1957 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 October 1957 when has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Sudan (Resident in Addis Ababa) Dr. Bjorn Axel Eyvind Bratt.
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|{{flag|Tanzania }} | 29 May 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 May 1964 when Otto Gustaf Rathsman presented his credentials as Sweden's Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to President Nyerere.
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|{{flag|Tunisia }} | See Sweden–Tunisia relations
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| {{Flag|Zimbabwe}}
|30 April 1980 |Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 April 1980 when first Ambassador of Mozambique to Zimbabwe presented his credentials.{{Cite book |author=Schwartz, Richard |title=Coming to terms : Zimbabwe in the international arena |place=London, New York |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=2001 |pages=65}} |
Americas
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|{{flag|Argentina }} | See Argentina–Sweden relations
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|{{flag|Belize}} | 17 November 1982
|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 November 1982.{{Cite book |title=Daily Report: Latin America. Vol. 82. United States |publisher=Foreign Broadcast Information Service |year=1982 |pages=56}}
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|{{flag|Bolivia }} | 2 February 1932 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 February 1932.
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|{{flag|Brazil }} | See Brazil–Sweden relations
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|{{flag|Canada }} | See Canada–Sweden relations
{{See also|Swedish Canadian}} Relations with Canada are close, positive and constructive. Both countries have strong commitments to peacekeeping, UN reform, development assistance, environmental protection, sustainable development, and the promotion and protection of human rights.[http://geo.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/sweden/geo/sweden-bb-en.aspx Canada-Sweden Relations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213022056/http://geo.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/sweden/geo/sweden-bb-en.aspx |date=February 13, 2009 }} In addition, there are more than 300,000 Canadians of Swedish descent.{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/highlights/ethnic/pages/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=PR&Code=01&Data=Count&Table=2&StartRec=1&Sort=3&Display=All&CSDFilter=5000|title=Ethnocultural Portrait of Canada – Data table|date=April 2, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2015|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723224016/http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/index-eng.cfm|url-status=dead}}
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|{{flag|Chile }} | 1827 | See Chile–Sweden relations
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|{{flag|Colombia }} | 11 December 1874
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|{{flag|Guyana}} | 16 June 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 June 1975.{{Cite web |title=Countries With Which Guyana Has Established Diplomatic Relations |url=https://www.minfor.gov.gy/consulates/countries-guyana-relations |access-date=12 May 2023 |website=minfor.gov.gy}}
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|{{flag|Mexico }} | 1850{{cite web |url=https://www.regeringen.se/sveriges-regering/utrikesdepartementet/sveriges-forbindelser-med-omvarlden/amerika/mexiko/ |publisher=Government Offices of Sweden |title=Mexiko |date=December 18, 2014 |trans-title=Mexico |access-date=9 May 2023 |language=sv}} | See Mexico–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Peru }} | 11 February 1938 | See Peru–Sweden relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 February 1938.
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|{{flag|United States }} | 29 April 1818 | See Sweden–United States relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 April 1818.{{Cite web |title=A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Sweden |url=https://history.state.gov/countries/sweden |access-date=12 May 2023 |website=history.state.gov}} {{See also|Swedish American}} Sweden and the United States have had strong ties since the 18th century.
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Asia
Europe
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|{{flag|Albania }} | 20 June 1969 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1969. |
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|{{flag|Austria }} | * Austria has an embassy in Stockholm.
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|{{flag|Belarus }} | 14 January 1992
|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 January 1992. There are 3,000 Belarusian living in Sweden and above 1,000 Swedes living in Belarus.
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|{{flag|Belgium }} | 23 February 1837
|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 February 1837 when has been accredited Chargé d'Affaires of Belgium to Sweden baron T. Vander Straten Ponthoz. There is an ethnic group of Walloons living in Sweden making up the 8,000 Belgians living in Sweden and 5,000 Swedes living in Belgium.
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| {{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|15 December 1992 |Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1992.{{Cite web |title=Avtal med Bosnien-Hercegovina om upprättande av diplomatiska förbindelser, Stockholm den 15 December 1992 |url=https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/534dbdaccb704b7db70571dfde266512/avtal-med-bosnien-hercegovina-om-upprattande-av-diplomatiska-forbindelser-stockholm-den-15-december-1992.pdf |access-date=12 May 2023 |website=regeringen.se |language=sv}} | ||
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|{{flag|Bulgaria}} | July 6, 1914
|There are approximately 3,000 Swedes living in Bulgaria and
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|{{flag|Croatia}} | 29 January 1992 | See Croatia–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Cyprus }} | See Cyprus–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Czech Republic }} | 1 January 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1993.{{Cite web |title=Avtal med Tjeckiska republiken om upprättande av diplomatiska förbindelser. Prag den 18 December 1992 och den 1 januari 1993 |url=https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/8ed482668a894b1dac809bf83a646ca5/avtal-med-tjeckiska-republiken-om-upprattande-av-diplomatiska-forbindelser/ |access-date=12 May 2023 |website=egeringen.se |language=sv}}
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|{{flag|Denmark }} | See Denmark–Sweden relations.
Today, both countries are separated by the Øresund, which links the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of the Council of Europe, and of the European Union. There are around 21,000 Swedes living in Denmark and there are around 42,000 Danes living in Sweden.
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|{{flag|Estonia }} | 28 August 1991 | See Estonia–Sweden relations.
Estonia was under Swedish rule between 1561 and 1721 Sweden recognized Estonia on 4 February 1921.{{cite news |url=https://static.bonniernews.se/gcs/arkivet/1921/02/bib13991099_19210205_0_34_262021/bib13991099_19210205_0_34_0006-5306x6670.jpeg |newspaper=Dagens Nyheter |title=Namn och nytt... |trans-title=Name and new... |page=13 |date=1921-02-05 |access-date=12 February 2025 |language=sv |quote=Regeringen har i gårdagens konselj erkänt republikerna Estland och Lettland såsom självständiga och oberoende stater. |trans-quote=At yesterday's council, the government recognized the republics of Estonia and Latvia as independent and sovereign states.}} Sweden resumed diplomatic relations with Estonia on 28 August 1991.{{cite book |url=https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/9b37ae5d5e7a4d388f139718a77f79a7/avtal-med-estland-om-aterupprattande-av-diplomatiska-forbindelser-stockholm-den-28-augusti-1991.pdf |title=Sveriges internationella överenskommelser: SÖ 1991:34 |year=1991 |publisher=Utrikesdepartementet |location=Stockholm |language=sv |issn=0284-1967 |id={{LIBRIS|4110996}} |page=1}}
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|{{flag|Finland }} | See Finland–Sweden relations.
Finnish–Swedish relations have a long history (Sweden and Finland were the same country for several hundred years), due to the close relationship between Finland and Sweden. Particularly in Finland, the issue emerges in frequent exposés of Finnish history, and in motives for governmental proposals and actions as reported in Finnish news broadcasts in English or other foreign languages. In Sweden, this relationship is a recurrent important theme of 20th-century history, although maybe by most Swedes considered to be an issue of purely historical relevance now that both countries have been members of the European Union since 1995.
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|{{flag|France }} | See France–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Germany }} | See Germany–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Greece}} | 24 January 1833 | See Greece–Sweden relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 January 1833 when Carl Peter von Heidenstam (until then Consul General) was appointed as Chargé d'Affaires of the Kingdom of Sweden and Norway in Greece.
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|{{flag|Hungary }} | See Hungary–Sweden relations.
Diplomacy relations between the two countries started on December 28, 1945.
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|{{flag|Iceland }} | See Iceland–Sweden relations. | |
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|{{flag|Ireland }} | 18 July 1946 | See Ireland–Sweden relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 July 1946. Ireland has an embassy in Stockholm.
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|{{flag|Italy }} | 23 December 1859 | See Italy–Sweden relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 December 1859 when the first interim Chargé d'Affaires, Giov. Antonio Migliorati, was appointed.
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|{{flag|Kosovo }} | See Kosovo–Sweden relations.
Sweden recognized Kosovo on March 4, 2008.{{cite press release|url=http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/10358/a/99714|title=Sweden recognises the Republic of Kosovo|publisher=Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs|date=March 4, 2008|access-date=2008-03-04}} Liaison Office of Sweden in Pristina, subordinated to the embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia.[http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____72163.aspx Liaison Office of Sweden in Pristina], Ministry for Foreign Affairs. On March 8, 2008, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt became the first foreign minister to officially visit Kosovo since it declared its independence.[http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/10358/a/100096 Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt to visit Kosovo and Macedonia], Ministry for Foreign Affairs, March 6, 2008. Sweden currently has 243 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force.[http://www.nato.int/kfor/structur/nations/placemap/kfor_placemat.pdf "Kosovo Force (KFOR)"] nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09.
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|{{flag|Latvia }} | 28 August 1991 | See Latvia–Sweden relations.
Sweden recognized Latvia on 4 February 1921. Sweden resumed diplomatic relations with Latvia on 28 August 1991.{{cite book |url=https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/41afab8ce4f94d9ca8cd46138b8b3175/avtal-med-lettland-om-aterupprattande-av-diplomatiska-forbindelser-stockholm-den-28-augusti-1991.pdf |title=Sveriges internationella överenskommelser: SÖ 1991:35 |year=1991 |publisher=Utrikesdepartementet |location=Stockholm |language=sv |issn=0284-1967 |id={{LIBRIS|4110996}} |page=1}}
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|{{flag|Lithuania}} | 28 August 1991 | See Lithuania–Sweden relations.
Sweden resumed diplomatic relations with Lithuania on 28 August 1991.{{cite book |url=https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/8b63ae684bb2471cb932e3fd8b746cec/avtal-med-litauen-om-aterupprattande-av-diplomatiska-forbindelser-stockholm-den-28-augusti-1991.pdf |title=Sveriges internationella överenskommelser: SÖ 1991:36 |year=1991 |publisher=Utrikesdepartementet |location=Stockholm |language=sv |issn=0284-1967 |id={{LIBRIS|4110996}} |page=1}}
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|{{flag|Moldova }} | 12 June 1992 | See Moldova–Sweden relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 June 1992. Sweden is one of Moldova's top donors. From 1996, Sweden provided Moldova with technical assistance worth 30 million dollars, which significantly helped strengthen sectors such as: protection of human rights, democracy, good governance, public health, education, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, transport and the private sector. Much of the aid is delivered through the Swedish International Development Agency.{{Cite web |url=http://www.moldpres.md/default.asp?Lang=en&ID=77702 |title=Moldpres |access-date=July 23, 2009 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318073511/https://www.moldpres.md/default.asp?Lang=en&ID=77702 |url-status=dead }} In 2007, the Swedish Government established the 2007–2010 strategy of cooperation with Moldova, which sees 11 million euros in financial assistance annually for three important sectors: good governance, strengthening of com petitiveness in the rural area and reduction of vulnerability in the energy sector.{{Cite web |url=http://www.moldpres.md/default.asp?Lang=en&ID=63135 |title=Moldpres |access-date=July 23, 2009 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023102/http://www.moldpres.md/default.asp?Lang=en&ID=63135 |url-status=dead }} |
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|{{flag|The Netherlands}} | See Netherlands–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Norway}} | See Norway–Sweden relations. | |
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|{{flag|Poland }} | See Poland–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Portugal }} | See Portugal–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Romania }} | 1 November 1916 | * Romania has an embassy in Stockholm.
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|{{flag|Russia }} | See Russia–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Serbia }} | See Serbia–Sweden relations. | |
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|{{flag|Slovenia}} | * Slovenia is accredited to Sweden from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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|{{flag|Spain }} | See Spain–Sweden relations.
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|{{flag|Switzerland }} | * Sweden has an embassy in Bern.
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|{{flag|Ukraine }} | 13 January 1992 | See Sweden–Ukraine relations.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 January 1992. A Ukrainian information bureau was opened 1916 in Stockholm by Volodymyr Stepankivskyi and M. Zaliznyak. In 1918 an official diplomatic mission from the Ukrainian People's Republic headed by K. Lossky was opened in Stockholm.{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.ua/sweden/ua/3316.htm|title=Посольство України в Королівстві Швеція|access-date=February 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430075955/http://www.mfa.gov.ua/sweden/ua/3316.htm|archive-date=April 30, 2012|url-status=dead}} Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Sweden were established on January 13, 1992.
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|{{flag|United Kingdom}} | See Sweden–United Kingdom relations.
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Oceania
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
!width="15%"| Country !width="12%"| Formal relations began !Notes | ||
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|{{flag|Australia }} | See Australia–Sweden relations.
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| {{Flag|Fiji}}
|3 April 1979 |Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 April 1979.{{Cite web |title=Formal diplomatic relations list |url=http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/images/FDR_LIST_version_of_6_June_2016.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827171052/http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/images/FDR_LIST_version_of_6_June_2016.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2019 |access-date=30 May 2023}} | ||
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|{{flag|New Zealand }} | See New Zealand–Sweden relations.
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See also
- Politics of Sweden
- List of diplomatic missions in Sweden
- List of diplomatic missions of Sweden
- List of state visits made by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
- Scandinavian defence union
- Visa requirements for Swedish citizens
- Arctic policy of Sweden
- List of ambassadors of Sweden to Ukraine
- Sweden–NATO relations
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Elgström, Ole, and Magnus Jerneck. "Activism and adaptation: Swedish security strategies, 1814–85." Diplomacy and Statecraft 8.3 (1997): 210–236.
- Grimberg, Carl. A History of Sweden (1935) [https://archive.org/details/historyofsweden006730mbp/page/n8/mode/2up online free]
- Horn, David Bayne. Great Britain and Europe in the eighteenth century (1967) covers 1603–1702; pp 236–69.
- Lindström, Peter, and Svante Norrhem. Flattering Alliances: Scandinavia, Diplomacy and the Austrian-French Balance of Power, 1648–1740 (Nordic Academic Press, 2013).
- Makko, Aryo. Ambassadors of Realpolitik: Sweden, the CSCE and the Cold War (2016) [https://www.amazon.com/Ambassadors-Realpolitik-Contemporary-European-History/dp/1785332848/ excerpt]
- Nordstrom, Byron J. The History of Sweden (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0313312583/ excerpt and text search]; also [https://archive.org/details/historyofsweden0000nord full text online free to borrow]
- Salmon, Patrick. Scandinavia and the great powers 1890–1940 (Cambridge University Press, 2002).
- Sevin, Efe. Public diplomacy and the implementation of foreign policy in the US, Sweden and Turkey (Springer International Publishing, 2017).
External links
- CIA World Factbook – [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sweden/ Sweden]
- United States Department of State – [https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2880.htm Sweden]
- [http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/10/53/00/1eef8fe3.pdf "Sweden and Africa — a policy to address common challenges and opportunities"] White paper delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Riksdag March 6, 2008
{{Foreign relations of Sweden}}
{{Sweden ties|state=collapsed}}
{{Sweden topics}}
{{Foreign relations of Europe}}
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