The Nordic region – a close collaboration
Sweden belongs to the Nordic region, which consists of five countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. In addition, the self-governing territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland are included in the Nordic cooperation. The Nordic countries share historical ties, languages (except Finnish and Sami), culture and political values.
- The Nordic Council: parliamentary cooperation body founded in 1952; 87 members from the Nordic parliaments
- Nordic Council of Ministers: cooperation between the Nordic governments
- Nordic passport union: citizens of the Nordic countries can travel and settle in each other's countries without a passport or residence permit
- The Nordic countries exchange students, research and cultural programs
Sweden in the EU
Sweden became a member of the European Union (EU) on 1 January 1995, after the people voted yes in a referendum in November 1994 (52.3% voted yes). EU membership means that Sweden is part of the internal market with free movement of people, goods, services and capital.
- The EU was founded in its current form in 1993 (Maastricht Treaty); the roots go to the coal deal of the 1950s
- Sweden has 21 seats in the European Parliament (EP); election every five years
- Sweden participates in the EU's legislation, budget and institutions
- The EU's four freedoms: free movement of people, goods, services and capital
- The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg: rules on EU legal matters; EU law takes precedence over national law
Sweden and NATO
Sweden had a long tradition of freedom of military alliances – for over 200 years, Sweden avoided entering into military alliances after the Napoleonic Wars. But that changed dramatically.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It led to a revolutionary change in Swedish security policy. Sweden applied for NATO membership in 2022 and officially became NATO's 32nd member state on March 7, 2024.
- NATO was founded in 1949; collective defense – attack on one is attack on all (Article 5)
- Sweden was non-aligned for 200 years after the Napoleonic Wars (1814–2024)
- Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership in parallel in May 2022
- Finland joined NATO March 2023; Sweden March 2024
- NATO has 32 members (after Sweden's entry)
The UN and international engagement
Sweden is one of the UN's founding members and joined in 1946. Sweden actively participates in the UN's peacekeeping operations and contributes to the UN's work for human rights and sustainable development.
- Sweden contributes to the UN's peacekeeping efforts with military and civilian personnel
- Dag Hammarskjöld: Swedish UN Secretary-General 1953–1961; died in plane crash in Congo
- Sweden has sat on the UN Security Council as a temporary member several times
- Sweden is a strong voice for multilateralism, free trade and climate measures
Aid and Sida
Sweden provides one of the world's most generous aid in relation to GNI (gross national income) - approximately 1% of GNI. Sida (The Board for International Development Cooperation) is the government authority that implements Sweden's aid program.
- Goal: reduce poverty and oppression in the world
- Focus areas: democracy, equality, environment, health
- Aid to countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America
- Sweden often achieves the UN aid recommendation of 0.7% of GNI
Migration and asylum
The Swedish Migration Agency is the government authority that handles applications for residence permits, asylum and citizenship. Sweden accepts refugees from war-torn countries and provides protection in accordance with international conventions.
- Convention refugee: persecuted for reasons such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion or belonging to a certain social group (Geneva Convention)
- Alternative protection status: risk of death penalty, torture or armed conflict
- Humanitarian reasons: particularly distressing circumstances
- The EU's common asylum policy: The Dublin Regulation regulates which country is responsible for the asylum examination