Sweden aims for close collab with Phl amid Council of EU presidency
‘The European Union and its member states stand with Ukraine and condemn Russia’s attacks through sanctions. Since February 2022, Sweden has given more than SEK 10 billion (approximately EUR 906 million) of support to Ukraine, covering military material, humanitarian support, financial support, civilian crisis management, and reconstruction, among others.’
Sweden’s presidency of the Council of the European Union will only deepen its relationship with the Philippines.
The Philippines and Sweden celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2022.
“It is a strong relationship based on shared and universal values enshrined in the United Nations Charter, international law, and international humanitarian law, as well as the commitment to build a better, greener, and more inclusive society, not leaving anyone behind and building sustainably and resiliently for future generations,” Sweden Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg told Daily Tribune.
Sweden is taking over the presidency of the Council during Europe’s most serious security crisis since the Second World War. Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion against democratic and sovereign Ukraine in February 2022 changed the security situation for the Nordic countries including Sweden, for Europe and the world. The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine violates international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of the UN Charter, the Swedish envoy added.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees states that the humanitarian crisis that the people of Ukraine are victim of has led to 7.8 million Ukrainian refugees displaced across Europe, of which 4.7 million were registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes.
Damages to Ukraine continue to affect people globally, resulting in inflation, food security crisis, and energy crisis.
“The European Union and its member states stand with Ukraine and condemn Russia’s attacks through sanctions. Since February 2022, Sweden has also given more than SEK 10 billion (approximately EUR 906 million) of support to Ukraine, covering military material, humanitarian support, financial support, civilian crisis management, and reconstruction among others,” Thunborg said.
Sweden’s focus for the first half of its Council of EU presidency is similar to the embassy’s priorities in the Philippines, she added.
Team Sweden — comprised of the Embassy, BusinessSweden, and Swedish companies — highly promotes renewable energy, green energy transition, and energy efficiency.
“Team Sweden also engages with the private sector and LGUs regarding initiatives on circular economy. These efforts include waste and water management, recycling, upcycling, and resource recovery,” Thunborg said.
The said green transition includes sustainable socioeconomic development through poverty alleviation and promotion of decent labor practices.
Thunborg further explains that the EU stands for the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.
She said, “The EU is the most important platform for Swedish foreign policy founded on the rules-based international system, respect for the UN Charter, and protection of human rights. Sweden’s security policy can only be reinforced through the EU and through NATO, where members can stand stronger together.”
Sweden is looking forward to strengthening its relationship even further through close collaboration with the Philippine private sector and academe, to be done with the support of the Philippine government and the involvement of civil society, on the priority areas mentioned previously, Thunborg concluded.