Jobs to go as foreign ministry slashes costs

Sweden's Ministry for Foreign Affairs is to make wide ranging cutbacks in an attempt to save around 70 million kronor per year. Staff numbers will be reduced and accommodation around the world will be downgraded as part of the economies.

Published: 29 September 2007 08:17 CEST

According to Expressen, some 100 jobs will disappear.

“Nobody is going to be fired,” commentated foreign minister Carl Bildt.

Instead, people approaching retirement age will not always be replaced, said Bildt. Certain diplomatic missions abroad will also be shut down.

The foreign minister declined to reveal which embassies would be affected.

“That’s a secret,” he said, adding that other offices would be opened since “foreign administration is constantly changing”.