Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Utrikesdepartementet
Arvfurstens palats, the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Gustav Adolfs torg in Stockholm.
Agency overview
Formed	1840 (1840)
Ministers responsible	Margot Wallström Isabella Lövin
Website	www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2059

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Swedish: Utrikesdepartementet) is responsible for Swedish foreign policy.

Current ministers:

• Margot Wallström (s) Head of Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
• Isabella Lövin (mp) as Minister for International Development Cooperation

History

The ministry for Foreign Affairs was created in 1791 when King Gustav III set up Konungens kabinett för den utrikes brevväxlingen (The King's cabinet for Foreign Letters of Exchange ). In 1840 the organisation formally changed its name to Utrikesdepartementet.

Government agencies

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs are principal for the following government agencies:

• Legations and embassies in foreign countries
• Export Credits Guarantee Board (Exportkreditnämnden)
• Folke Bernadotte Academy (Folke Bernadotteakademin
• Inspectorate of Strategic Products (Inspektionen för strategiska produkter)
• Board of Trade (Kommerskollegium)
• Nordic Africa Institute (Nordiska Afrikainstitutet)
• SWEDAC (Styrelsen för ackreditering och teknisk kontroll)
• Sida (Styrelsen för internationellt utvecklingssamarbete)
• Swedish Institute (Svenska institutet)
• Swedish Institute Alexandria (Svenska institutet i Alexandria)
• Business Sweden (Sveriges export- och investeringsråd).
• Swedish Trade Council, or Sveriges Exportråd. Located in Stockholm. (Official site)

Statement of Swedish Foreign Policy 2012

• Human rights, peace, freedom and democracy these values shape our Swedish foreign policy
• Europe must be a strong voice and a clear force for peace, freedom and reconciliation in our own region and the world
• Sweden's security is built in solidarity with others. Threats to peace and security are averted collectively and in cooperation
• Freedom on the Internet is the new front line in efforts for freedom in the world
• The Arctic region is clearly growing in importance: better conditions for the peoples of the region, protect sensitive nature and environment
• We must increase pressure on the regime and support to those who are working for a peaceful transition to a democratic Syria
• The worlds economies are becoming increasingly interlinked. Trade and investment generate growth and employment
• A clear emphasis on democracy and human rights and freedoms is central to modern development assistance
• Women are a driving force for increased democratic rights and freedoms, as we saw during the upheavals in the Arab world

External links

• Ministry for Foreign Affairs - Official site