Sweden and Finland pledge to boost cross-border transport
Sweden and Finland are looking into improving infrastructure between the two countries, from both a military and civilian perspective, ministers said at a joint press conference in Stockholm.
One of the things new Nato members commit to is ensuring that for example their road and rail network is able to quickly transport military troops and equipment. Sweden's focus now is on improving connections from Narvik in Norway and between Finland and Sweden.
"Transports have become all the more important now since Russia attacked Ukraine," said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
He added that it's especially important for transports to work in winter conditions.
"We've got a positive view on future collaboration," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Some of the other points discussed at the meeting were to improve flight connections between cities in Finland, Sweden and Norway, and increase the exchange of population data, which should make life easier for cross-border workers.
Swedish vocabulary: a meeting – ett möte
Swedish ministers cancel government visit to Austria
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Migration Minister Johan Forssell have cancelled a trip to Vienna on Wednesday.
The pair had been set to meet Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer to speak about Swedish migration policy. The Swedish government has since its election in 2022 undertaken what it calls a "migration paradigm shift", continuing its predecessors' tightening of migration laws.
But due to the deadly floods in large parts of Eastern and Central Europe, the visit has been put on hold.
Swedish vocabulary: to cancel – att ställa in
Seven charged with violent rioting at Eritrean festival
Seven people have been charged with violent rioting at an Eritrean culture festival north of Stockholm last year, reports public radio broadcaster Sveriges Radio P4.
The riot broke out in August last year when hundreds of counter protesters stormed the pro-government festival at Järvafältet.
Rocks were thrown and tents and cars were set on fire. More than 50 people were injured, including eight seriously, and a large number of people were taken into custody.
Swedish vocabulary: a riot – ett upplopp
US hopes to revive North Korea dialogue through Swedish diplomats
The United States said Monday it hoped to "reinvigorate dialogue" with North Korea through Swedish diplomats who have just re-established a diplomatic mission there following a pandemic shutdown, reported the AFP news agency.
In the absence of diplomatic relations between Washington and Pyongyang, Sweden represents US interests in North Korea, but its diplomats were forced to leave when the country closed its borders in 2020.
A Swedish diplomatic team returned to North Korea on September 13th however and "can now work on resuming the embassy's regular activities," the foreign ministry in Stockholm said in a statement.
Swedish vocabulary: North Korea – Nordkorea
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