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Bilateral Relations

Estonian-Swedish bilateral relations have traditionally been very good and close in the areas of economic affairs, defence and culture. Openness, mutual understanding, trust and goodwill characterise these relations.
Development co-operation projects with Sweden have primarily taken place through the projects of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the Council of the Baltic Sea States, or the EU. The focus has mainly been on new democracies like Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Armenia.
Defence co-operation between the two countries has been good in the areas of counselling, logistics, training, and the environment. An arms purchase agreement that outlines the co-operation format and procedures and foresees the creation of a working group was signed on 10 August 2010. Close co-operation is also conducted in the framework of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
As nations located on the Baltic Sea, Estonia and Sweden also co-operate in the environmental protection and rescue sectors. A general security agreement for the protection of classified information, a co-operation agreement for emergency prevention, preparedness and response, and a sea and air search and rescue (SAR) co-operation agreement have been concluded between the two countries.

Agreements
After accession to the European Union, Estonia’s free trade agreements with EU member states were terminated. The economic relations are governed by the regulations of the EU’s internal market.

All the important bilateral economic agreements have been signed:

  • Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments (came into force 20.05.1992);
  • Agreement on the Organizing of International Highway Transportation of Passengers and Goods (came into force 30.07.1992);
  • Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters (came into force 30.10.1993);
  • Agreement on Rendering Medical Aid to Temporary Visitors (came into force 01.11.1993);
  • Aviation Agreement (came into force 30.11.1993);
  • Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income and Capital and on the Prevention of Tax Evasion (came into force 31.12.1993);
  • Co-operation agreement in the field of maritime and air search and rescue (came into force 06.03.2007).