Sweden » International Relations

For national security Sweden stays out of military alliances. According to Sweden’s security policy by staying free of such alliances in peacetimes it wants to maintain its neutral stance in the event of war. This foreign policy has helped Sweden relations with international community to grow in a positive direction. Sweden has an active participation in the United Nations. Human rights are an important part of Swedish foreign policy. Under the governments agenda for human rights are the following points:

• Democracy-building
• Strengthen freedom of expression
• Abolish the death penalty
• Combat torture
• Combat summary executions and arbitrary detention
• Protect the principles of the rule of law
• Protect human rights and international humanitarian law
• Fight Discrimination

Sweden works with NATO in international security and peacekeeping missions. Sweden joined the European Union in 1995. EU membership marks a significant step. Sweden’s trade policy is very much the same as that of other members of the European Union.
Sweden follows a free trade policy. It is the liberal trade policies of Sweden, access to foreign markets that have encouraged imports and helped the Swedish industry to grow. Foreign trade in Sweden has played a major role in making Sweden a prosperous nation with high living standards.

United States and Sweden share a strong economic relation. Largest exports market of Sweden is United States and the largest investors in Sweden are also the United States. The two countries have to maintain good commercial relations as half of Sweden’s GDP depends on Sweden’s international trade and U.S. has investment of Swedish companies such as Ericsson, Volvo Truck (including Mack), Electrolux etc. these companies employ a vast number of US citizens.
Canada and Sweden share close relations and have common views on peacemaking, nuclear non-proliferation, global security and environmental issues.
Russia and Sweden are trading partners who share a history of war. Sweden export to Russia is increasing and so is the investment. There are around 300 Swedish companies working in Russia and the interest in the Russian market seems to be growing.
Relations with France after Sweden’s membership with EU have allowed the country to work together for common goals. Sweden’s economic relations with France are strong. France is Sweden’s seventh-biggest customer and supplier.
Relations between Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, Norway and Denmark, have always been strong since late medieval times.

UK enjoys a good reputation in Sweden. Both UK and Sweden share centuries old trading relations. The trading ties are still strong with Sweden being UK’s ninth largest export market while UK is Sweden’s third largest supplier. Over the years the nature of trade has changed from raw materials to now trade of high tech goods and services. Swedes strong grasp of the English language makes it easier for the British companies to do with them. World-class companies of Sweden have invested in Sweden and vice versa. There are almost 700 Swedish firms in the UK and over 370 UK-owned firms in Sweden. Major UK exports to Sweden include electrical machinery, telecom equipment, road vehicles and petroleum products. Major UK imports from Sweden are paper, board and pulp, telecommunications equipment, road vehicles, cork and wood, iron and steel and general industrial machinery.