Maakuvaus

  

2. Economy of Sweden (Anne)

Unemployment is low in Sweden. (9,4% 01/2010)
Sweden has also a large domestic arms industry, backed by its own armed forces producement.

Swedens normal GDP is total $ 444 718 billion (35.) and per capita it’s 47 934 $. PPP (Purchasing power parity) GDP is totally 337 893 billion $ and per capita 36 502 $. Gini (income difference) in 2005 was 23 which is low and HDI (The Human Development Index) was 0.885 (very high) (9th).   

Swedens economic situation is very good. Swedens currency is swedish krona and they have referendum in 2003 about changing krona to euro, but Sweden rejected it.

Biggest companies; Volvo, Sony-Ericsson, Vattenfall, Nordea, Skanska, Electrolux, SSAB, SAAB, IKEA.

Biggest export countries; Norway 10,6%, Germany 10,2%, Great Britain 7,4,%...USA 6,4%. Export products (2009); machine-factory products 44,3%, chemistry industries products 14,1,%, consumer industries products 13,5%, forest industries products 12,4,%

Biggest inport countries; Germany 17,9%, Norway 9,0%, Danmark 9,0%, Netherlands 6,5%. Inport products (2009); machine-factory products 41,3%, consumer industries products 22,2%, chemistry industries products 13,8%, energy industries products 11,6,%.

3. International relationships and foreign policy (Juha)

Sweden has been a member of EU since 1995. Sweden cooperates with EU in different political issues. According to Lisbon’s agreement, Sweden is the most competitive EU country.  In 2009 the chairwoman of EU was Swedish.  Sweden is not an official member of NATO, but it has participated in many NATO operations. Sweden is also a participant in the NATO affiliated Partnership for peace and the Euro-Atlantic partnership council. Currently Sweden has 500 troops in ISAF operation in Afghanistan under the command of NATO.

USA and Sweden have had strong ties since the 18^th century. US is third largest export trade partner. During cold war, Sweden was ready to receive military aid from US in case of soviet attack. Russia and Sweden have had a great history of wars and rivalry. Swedish ex foreign minister (1991-1994) Carl Bildt compared Russians actions in South Ossetia to that of Hitler. Russia needs Sweden’s approval to Nord Stream gas pipeline project. China is Sweden´s largest trading partner in Asia for four consecutive years. Sweden was also one of the first countries that recognized the People´s Republic of China in the 1950s. Relations and trade between Sweden and Taiwan, has developed steadily. They have made two important agreements: one between Swedish trade council and Taipei mission in Sweden 2005, and the other one about China airlines direct cargo flight between Taipei and Stockholm.

Swedish counter-terrorism policy is the principle that threats can be combated legitimately only by using methods that belong to an open, democratic and legally security society and that respect fundamental freedoms and rights. Sweden is also working nationally and internationally to gain support for its principles. Although in December 2010, two terrorist suicide attack attempt took place in Stockholm city center. By and large, direct threat of terrorism is low in Sweden.

2008 was made a new strategy for Swedish development cooperation with Sudan for the period 2008-2011. The goal was to contribute to a peaceful development, the respect for human rights, democratic governance a lasting reconciliation and national unity in Sudan. Bo Wranker (Sweden) was the force commander in UN operation UNDOF (in Syrian Golan heights). Sweden has had good relations with Israel but nowadays they have turned against them. 2010 Sweden sent two people in Haiti to support the UNDAC operation in same day than accident happened. Sweden also sent about 60 million US dollars to Haiti and was one of the largest donors of humanitarian support.

4. Sweden and the United Nations (Miikka)

Common

Sweden is an active member of the UN, and it's participating nowadays in multiple peace-keeping and humanitarian operations, mainly in Africa and Middle-East. Sweden joined the United Nations in 19.7.1946. Sweden's policy in the UN concentrates to peace-keeping operations and international cooperation.

Sweden meets the International Aid Target of dedicating 0,7% of GNP (UN Millennium Project 2002-2015). In 2006 Sweden devoted 1,03% of GNP to foreign aid (3,97 USD billion) and it was the largest donor among developed countries.

Sweden and UN's security policy

Sweden has been member of the Security Council three times; in 1957-58, 1975-76 and 1997-98.

Sweden's first UN peace-keeping operation took place in the Middle East as it's officers were acting as observers in 1948. The first actual military operation was during the conflict of Suez in 1956.

Sweden has took part in many peace-keeping operations during it's UN membership. Today's active operations are in Middle-East, Congo, India, Pakistan and Korea as observers, military personnel in Afghanistan (total UN+NATO personnel up to 546), Sudan and Kosovo. Most of Swedish soldiers abroad serve in NATO operations.

Sweden and UN's humanitarian operations

Swedish government participates mostly in Haiti, where it has supplied humanitarian aid of approximately 66 million US dollars in 2010. Also, about one hundred Swedish polices are in Haiti to provide security.

Swedish volunteers act in multiple crisis areas of the world.