Bilal Hayee

Sweden welcomes the agreement of a two-week mutual ceasefire between the United States and Iran, following important mediation efforts by Pakistan, among others, which may also create conditions for the restoration of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It is vital that all parties now exercise maximum restraint – to safeguard security in the region, to secure vital global supply chains and to protect innocent civilians. It is also important to now build further on this towards a solution that is sustainable in the long term and prevents Iran from developing nuclear weapons, threatening security in the region and carrying out destabilising activities in the region and in the West. It is in the interests of many countries, including Sweden, to ensure freedom of navigation, which is essential for functioning global trade. We are therefore participating in the format involving approximately 30 countries that was initiated by the United Kingdom to discuss the necessary conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Sweden is ready to support these efforts as appropriate, including political solutions.

Pleasure to meet ambassadors from the Asia-Pacific region today. Sweden’s relations with countries in Asia and the Pacific are strategic and for the long term. Both our economies and our security are more interlinked than ever.