Invitation to seminar on Sweden's alcohol policy and the role of Systembolaget
The next information seminar for diplomats will be devoted to Sweden's alcohol policy and the role of Systembolaget. Presentations will be made by Ms Sara Norell, Head of the Purchasing Department, and by Mr Ulf Sjödin, Head of Category Management, both from Systembolaget.
Skiing in Stockholm
The Protocol Department wishes to inform the Diplomatic corps about the possibility to go skiing and snowboarding in Stockholm. Embrace the joy of wintertime by taking the opportunity to explore the different ski slopes in Stockholm.
The slopes open when temperatures fall below zero and snow cannons can start producing snow. The ski slopes around Stockholm are small and suitable for beginners and most facilities also offer equipment for hire. Below is a selection of ski slopes in the Stockholm area:
Hammarbybacken
Hammarby Fabriksväg 111
120 33 STOCKHOLM
www.skistar.com
Ekebyhovsbacken
178 34 Ekerö
http://www.ekebyhov.com/om-ekebyhov/
Ekholmsnäs
181 41 Lidingö
http://www.sportstyle.se/ekholmsnas/hem/
Flottsbro Friluftsområde
Häggstavägen
141 32 Huddinge
www.flottsbro.se
Foreign missions in search of larger ski resort may find the nearest one in Romme Alpin, Dalarna, about two hours away from Stockholm by car.
Reflections from the Annual National Conference on defence and security policy
The Annual National Conference organized by Folk and Försvar (Society and Defence) took place in Sälen on 13 - 15 January. A briefing for the diplomatic corps on the outcome of the National Conference was held on 23 January on the premises of Folk and Försvar in Stockholm, in collaboration with the Protocol Department of the MFA.
The Secretary General of Folk and Försvar, Ms. Lena Bartholdson, made a brief presentation of this association, which has about 70 member organizations, including several defence organizations, political youth organizations, NGO's, trade unions and representatives of Swedish business, trade and labour federations. Its main task is to promote the debate of security and defence policy. The annual National Conference is the foremost meeting place of the Swedish security and defence policy community, including, this year, the participation of Sweden's EU Commissioner, Ms Cecilia Malmström, Minister for Defence, Ms Karin Enström and Minister for EU Affairs, Ms Birgitta Ohlsson.
New Ambassadors
Three new ambassadors, from Australia, Guatemala and Costa Rica, presented their letters of credence to HM The King on 24 January 2013.
The Protocol Department's absence due to planning day
The Protocol department wishes to inform about a planning day, which will take place on the 18th of January 2013 between 9.00 am - 14.30 pm. This absence may make it difficult to contact the Protocol department during those hours. For urgent matters please contact Administrative Officer Birgitta Flink on phone number 076-812 67 77 or Desk Officer Eva Engdahl on phone number 076-766 93 07. The staff will return to ordinary schedules from 15.00 pm 18 January.
New security arrangements at Arlanda Airport
The Protocol Department wishes to inform the Diplomatic corps that stricter security arrangements have been introduced at the VIP section at Arlanda Airport. According to these new arrangements, it is mandatory for all cars to undergo a security control by the airport security personnel in order to park and stay in the VIP section. It should be noted that the security control will imply that the interior of the car is searched in order to prevent any ineligible objects to enter the area and cause any security issues. Cars which have not undergone this security control will not be allowed to park in the VIP area or to approach the aircraft on the runway.
Foreign missions who do not wish to have their vehicles subjected to this security control may leave their cars outside the VIP area. Given the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations, it is understandable if foreign missions do not wish that their vehicles go through this security control and therefore transportation to the VIP gate and to the airplane will be arranged by the airport staff. It will also be possible to quickly drop off passengers at the VIP section without undergoing the security control.
Contact details regarding security officers
The Protocol Department wishes to remind foreign missions, which have not yet done so, that they should submit contact details regarding security officers in their respective mission. Please note that is also important to send changes of telephone numbers of security officers to the Protocol.
The Year That Was, Politics in Sweden 2012 - A panel discussion
On Tuesday 18 December, the Diplomatic Forum of Uppsala University together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs arranged a panel discussion in the Rosenbad Conference Centre regarding politics in Sweden during the past year of 2012.
Briefing on the outcome of the Annual National Conference organized by Folk och Försvar (Society and Defence)
The Protocol Department wishes to inform the Diplomatic corps in Stockholm about a briefing on the outcome of the Annual National Conference organized by Folk och Försvar (Society and Defence) in Sälen on 13-15 January 2013.
The Annual National Conference organized by Folk och Försvar is the classic meeting place for the security and defence policy community of Sweden with regular participation of the Minister of Defence, several MP's and political party leaders and with occasional participation of HM the King, the Prime Minister and of other ministers. Held each year in January at a major winter resort, the conference assembles 300 participants and 30-40 speakers for three days of lectures, discussions and socializing. The conference receives extensive media coverage in Sweden.
Venue: Folk och Försvar, Lilla Nygatan 14
Date: Wednesday 23 January at 14.00 - 16.15
Heads of Mission wishing to participate are kindly asked to notify the Protocol Department no later than Thursday 17 January by e-mail to ud.events@regeringskansliet.se.
From left: Mr Pereric Högberg, Mr Lars Ronnås, Ms Mikaela Kumlin Granit and Mr Anders Hagelberg.
Personnel changes in the EU and Africa department
The Protocol Department wishes to inform the Diplomatic corps in Stockholm about two important personnel changes. There are now new head of departments for both the EU and Africa departments.
Mr Pereric Högberg is the new Head of Department for the Africa Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Mr Högberg has many years of experience from working with African countries, both from within the Ministry and also from positions at the Swedish embassies in Windhoek and Pretoria. Mr Högberg was previously the Deputy Head of the same department. The former Head of Department, Mr Lars Ronnås, is now the Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe.
The new Head of the EU Department is Ms Mikaela Kumlin Granit. Ms Kumlin Granit has previously worked with the EU's external relations in different positions in Stockholm, and has been posted to the Swedish Embassies in Harare and Washington. In the run- up to and during the Swedish Presidency, Ms Kumlin Granit worked in the Foreign Policy and EU section in the office the of the Prime Minister. In 2009 Ms Kumlin Granit was recruited as foreign policy advisor to Mr Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council. The former Head of Department Mr Anders Hagelberg is presently the Swedish Ambassador to South Africa.
