The foreign policy of Sweden was formerly based on the premise that national security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain a neutral country in the event of war,with this policy lasting from 1814 in the context of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars until the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. In 2002,Sweden revised its security doctrine. The security doctrine at that point still stated that "Sweden pursues a policy of non-participation in military alliances," but permitted cooperation in response to threats against peace and security. The government also seeks to maintain Sweden's high standard of living. These two objectives required heavy expenditures for social welfare,defence spending at rates considered low by Western European standards,and close attention to foreign trade opportunities and world economic cooperation. In 2024,Sweden formally became part of a military alliance for the first time since the end of the War of the Sixth Coalition by joining NATO.
Sandra Kalniete is a Latvian politician,author,diplomat and independence movement leader. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia 2002–2004 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture,Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004. Since 2009,she has served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the European People's Party.
Karin Märta Elisabeth Enström is a Swedish politician of the Moderate Party. She has served as Secretary-General of the Moderate Party since October 2022 and has been Member of the Riksdag since the 1998 general election,representing Stockholm County. She served as Minister for Defence in the cabinet of Fredrik Reinfeldt from 2012 to 2014. She is an Amphibious Corps officer by profession.
Anatols Dinbergs was one of the preeminent career diplomats of Latvia. He entered service in Latvia's Foreign Ministry in 1932. Dinbergs remained abroad when the Soviet Union occupied Latvia,serving in the Latvian Legation in Washington,D.C.,after World War II ended. Dinbergs assumed the highest diplomatic post,that of chargéd'affaires,in 1970 and represented Latvia's sovereign interests in exile until Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991. As head of the Latvian diplomatic service abroad,Dinbergs was appointed Latvia's first ambassador to the United Nations and subsequently Latvia's first ambassador to the United States. After retirement,he served as Counselor to the Latvian Embassy in Washington,D.C.,until his death in 1993.
Latvia–Russia relations are the bilateral foreign relations between Latvia and Russia. Latvia has an embassy in Moscow,and the Russia has an embassy in Riga.
Iceland–Latvia relations are bilateral relations between Iceland and the Republic of Latvia. Iceland was the first country to recognize the independence of Latvia in August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 22 August 1991. Neither country has a resident ambassador. Iceland is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Helsinki,Finland. Latvia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo,Norway and an honorary consulate in Iceland's capital Reykjavík.
Northern Future Forum is an annual,informal meeting of prime ministers,policy innovators,entrepreneurs and business leaders from the 9 nations of Denmark,Estonia,Finland,Iceland,Latvia,Lithuania,Norway,Sweden and the United Kingdom. Initially referred to as the UK Nordic Baltic Summit,the name Northern Future Forum was introduced at the second meeting in Stockholm,2012. The group had a period of abeyance since the Stavanger meeting in 2016 was postponed following the outcome of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum,and David Cameron subsequently stepping down as UK prime minister,to be succeeded by Theresa May. The summit was reconvened in October 2018 in Oslo.
Bangladesh–Latvia relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Latvia. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to recognize Latvia in 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries officially started on 21 January 1993.
MārtiņšNukša was a Latvian diplomat and architect. He worked as an architect in Riga during the heyday of Art Nouveau architecture and from 1920 as a diplomat representing Latvia. He was arrested by Soviet authorities after the occupation of Latvia and executed in 1942.
India–Latvia relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Latvia. Two countries established diplomatic relations at 1991,following the independence of Latvia. India's mission to Latvia is accredited from the Indian embassy in Stockholm,Sweden;and Latvia maintains an embassy and a consulate in New Delhi.
The nations of Latvia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1991. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Foreign relations exist between Australia and Latvia. Australia first recognised Latvia on 22 September 1921 and was among the first countries to re-recognise Latvia's independence on 27 August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1991. Australia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm,Sweden and an honorary consulate in Riga. Latvia has had an embassy in Canberra since October 2021,and also has honorary consulates in Sydney,Brisbane,Adelaide,Melbourne and Perth.
Eva Maria Louise Malmer Stenergard is a Swedish politician and jurist. Since September 2024,she is the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Kristersson cabinet,having previously served as Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy from 2022 to 2024. She has also been a Member of the Riksdag since 2014.
Karin Annika Bjurner Söder is a Swedish diplomat and politician representing the Swedish Social Democratic Party. From 2014 to 2019,she served as Sweden's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In February 2020,she was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to collaborate with a UN group on peace building and in January 2021,she was engaged by OSCE chair Ann Linde as her special representative for the South Caucasus. On 18 January 2023,with ministerial backing from Germany and Sweden,she became a member of the International Commission on Inclusive Peace.
Eva Birgitta Walder or formerly Eva Walder-Brundin,is a Swedish retired economist and diplomat who became the ambassador to Singapore from 1998 to 2001,and Finland from 2006 to 2009. She has experience in economics,economic development,trade,and trade agreements,with extension to corporate social responsibility,gender concerns,and disarmament. She has also served on various boards with an economic/financial focus,alongside maintaining contacts with civil society and represents Sweden at numerous forums.
