Political-Economic Section
The Political-Economic Affairs Section of Embassy Stockholm is responsible for relations between Sweden and the United States pertaining to bilateral matters of political and economic policy, as well as numerous multilateral and EU-related issues. The Political-Economic Section is the Embassy’s primary working-level point of contact with the Swedish Government. The section works to secure US bilateral policy goals in Sweden and multilateral policy goals in the Nordic-Baltic region, the EU and beyond on major issues such as regional and global security, peacekeeping and crisis management operations, energy, the environment, law enforcement, extradition and treaty compliance issues, bilateral and multilateral (e.g. EU, WTO) trade and investment matters, science and technology, nuclear safety, civil aviation, strategic trade controls, intellectual property, human rights, trafficking-in-persons and counter-terrorism efforts.
The Political-Economic Affairs Section’s main contacts are in the Swedish government ministries, but officers also maintain close ties to the Offices of the President and Prime Minister, the Swedish Parliament, private sector organizations and NGOs. In Washington, section personnel represent or report to the Department of State and the other departments and agencies listed below.
In close cooperation with the Public Affairs Section and the Commercial Section, the Political-Economic Affairs Section officers engage actively in a wide variety of outreach efforts with the Swedish media and public, as well as with private and academic institutions seeking speakers on a range of current topics. Section personnel also utilize traditional public diplomacy tools such as the International Visitor and Voluntary Visitor Programs to send key contacts to the US to discuss security policies, the environment, border and immigration controls, trafficking-in-persons, etc., with their US counterparts.
Contact Information:
Political-Economic Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31
115 89 Stockholm
Phone: +46/8-783-5300
Public Affairs Section (PAS)
The Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy is responsible for delivering information about the United States, its government and its policies, and about America’s institutions and its people and culture. As part of this role, the Section’s officers serve as the Embassy’s official press spokesmen.
For information about press visas, or if you are a media representative seeking interviews, official statements by U.S. Government representatives and facilitation with reporting in the United States, please see our Press Office page.
In addition, the Section maintains the Embassy’s web page, organizes conferences, seminars, and talks by visiting American officials and academics as well as electronic meetings of American and Swedish interlocutors. The Section also supports other Sections in the Embassy, including the Commercial and Consular Sections.
The Public Affairs section also administers a Small Grants Program which provides small grants to support artistic, academic, and other activities with a connection to American culture or values when such support is of mutual interest to both the requesting organization and the Embassy. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year. For more information, please see the Small Grants Program page.
The Section organizes a variety of educational exchanges – both short-term and long-term – that allow Swedish students, academics, and professionals to visit the United States and for Americans to visit Sweden. As part of this work, the Section works closely with the Swedish Fulbright Commission, which enables Swedish and American students and faculty to study in America and Sweden. The Section maintains a particularly active International Visitor program, which arranges study trips and professional appointments for Swedish visitors to the United States.
The Embassy’s Cultural Affairs unit engages in various activities to enhance the understanding of American society and values through cultural exchanges and by organizing conferences, seminars and talks by visiting American officials and academics, as well as electronic meetings of American and Swedish counterparts.
Through the U.S. Speakers Program the Embassy brings American experts to Sweden to speak on topics related to Mission priorities. Offices and agencies are welcome to provide suggestions for speaker programs that can support your goals. If you have a speaker request, or questions about the speaker program, please contact us at: stkspeakers@state.gov
The Cultural Affairs unit also promotes the study of American literature, history, and government by collaborating with leading Swedish universities, and works closely with think tanks and research institutions to promote better understanding of U.S. foreign policy, economic and political trends and other current American domestic issues.
Regional Security Officer
The Regional Security Officer is a Special Agent with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the security and law enforcement branch of the U.S. Department of State. Diplomatic Security is a leader in international investigations, threat analysis, and the protection of people, property, and information. Every US diplomatic mission in the world operates under a security program designed and maintained by Diplomatic Security. In the United States, Diplomatic Security Special Agents protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries, and investigate passport and visa fraud.
Information from the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports
Safety and Security
Sweden remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Sweden’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site, where current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement can be found.
Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States , or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’sTraveler’s Checklist.
Crime
Sweden has a low crime rate. Most crimes involve the theft of personal property from cars or residences or in public areas. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers often work in pairs or groups with one distracting the victim while another grabs valuables. Often they operate in or near major tourist attractions like Stockholm’s Old Town, restaurants, amusement parks, museums, bars, buses, and subway trains. Hotel breakfast rooms and lobbies attract professional, well-dressed thieves who blend in with guests and target purses and briefcases left unguarded by unsuspecting tourists and business travelers. Valuables should not be left unguarded in parked vehicles.
Information for Victims of Crime
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Sweden has a limited criminal injuries compensation program for victims of violent, personal, and property crime. Foreign citizens who are victims of crime on Swedish territory are eligible to apply for compensation but if the victim and offender’s affiliation to Sweden is transitory in nature, compensation may not be awarded even though the crime occurred on Swedish soil. Application forms in English are available at local police stations and other government agencies as well as on Brottsoffermyndigheten’s webpage (the Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority). Claimants are generally notified of the program’s decision within four months.
Office of the Defense Attaché
The Office of the Defense Attaché is primarily responsible for representational duties designed to foster positive relations between the U.S. military and the Swedish defense/security establishment; coordinating with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for aircraft and ship clearances, coordinating country clearances for DOD personnel, and providing the Ambassador with military and political-military advice, assistance and support.
The Defense Attache (DATT) is also designated as U.S. Defense Representative (USDR) for the region and as such is responsible for representing the Secretary of Defense, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretaries of the military departments, Chiefs of the military services, and unified commanders regarding coordination of administrative and security matters for all in-country DOD noncombatant command elements.
The DAO also provides information for young men and women inquiring about joining the U.S. military.
Due to Privacy Act restrictions, traces for missing relatives and/or personal friends can not be conducted.
Contact Information:
Office of the Defense Attaché
Embassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31
SE-115 89 Stockholm, SWEDEN
Tel: (46-8) 783 53 00
Foreign Commercial Service
For Swedish Companies
U.S. Embassy Commercial Service in Sweden
The U.S. Embassy Commercial Service offices in the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden), together with our partner posts in the Baltics (Estonia and Latvia), assist local companies and investors that seek products or services from U.S. companies. Our offices do this by sourcing through over 100 of the district offices in the U.S., in every major city, with industry sector teams in the U.S. and in Europe, and by assisting local delegations at major networking events in Europe and the U.S. If you are searching for products or partners in the U.S., send our office email address a short note with your company contact information, and we will do our best to assist.
For U.S. Companies
Welcome to the Sweden Foreign Commercial Service office in the Nordic/Baltic Region.
The Nordic Region (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) together with partner posts in the Baltic’s (Estonia and Latvia), is a large and sophisticated marketplace, comparable to Canada in combined GDPs, and considered worldwide to be a excellent test market for new products and an easy-to-enter market for new-to-market (NTM) companies. English is widely understood, business agreements are reliable, and commuting within the Nordics is easy to do.
The Nordic countries have close ties to the United States culturally and historically (chances are Eric the Red or his son Leif Ericson visited North America over 1000 years ago). Excellent opportunities for US businesses exist in this market-diverse area, from offshore oil and gas equipment for Norway, to high-value healthcare and new consumer products for Sweden, and for all countries, clean-tech solutions that reduce fossil fuels and greenhouse gases.
Our offices and partner posts in these Nordic-Baltic countries offer a unique opportunity for U.S. companies that want a region-wide program. We package simple, affordable programs, market research, and executive appointments that fit your company products and market dynamics and that help gain market access to some or all Nordic countries. Recent visits of Commercial Service clients using the Nordic regional Plan for appointments have reported excellent results.
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) is a subordinate unit of the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and an integral part of the Embassy of the United States of America, Stockholm, Sweden. The ODC supports the U.S. Ambassador, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the Government of Sweden. ODC Sweden provides a bridge between the U.S. and the Swedish military and defense sectors to enhance partnerships, maintain close cooperation, build near and long term host country military capability, and increase interoperability between Sweden, the U.S. and NATO.
Key Partners
The primary constituency of ODC Sweden includes U.S. Department of Defense officials, Swedish Ministry of Defense staff, Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV), the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) and U.S. and Swedish defense contractors. Specific areas in which the ODC may provide assistance to the Government of Sweden include:
- Security Cooperation and Security Assistance
- Foreign Military Sales
- International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program
- Bilateral agreements
- Cooperative technology exchanges and research and developmental efforts
- Standardization and interoperability of defense systems and munitions
- Technology security through end-use monitoring procedures
Contact Information
Email: odcstockholm@state.gov
Inside Sweden:
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
Embassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31
115 89 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: 8 783 5300 (request transfer to ODC)
Outside Sweden:
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
Embassy of the United States of America
5750 Stockholm Place
Washington, D.C. 20521-5750
Commercial: +46 (0) 8 783 5300 (request transfer to ODC)
From Stateside U.S.: 301-985-8802 (request transfer to ODC)