Yesterday 7 September, the first report on the future cooperation of Estonia and Sweden was published, addressing relations between the two countries in the next 10-15 years and offering recommendations for new ways of cooperation. Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde with the authors Raul Eamets and Pär Nuder presented the report in Tallinn.
Reinsalu said that as is noted in the report, the cooperation of Estonia and Sweden is mainly influenced by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the changed security situation in Europe, energy crisis, significant climate change and global migration.
Speaking about security, Reinsalu emphasised that Estonia supported and welcomed Sweden’s accession to NATO, which would help reinforce the security of the whole region. “In the changed circumstances, we must also work to solve the energy crisis and move towards energy independence. Both Estonia and Sweden are maritime countries, so we could do more together to develop wind power technology,” the foreign minister noted.
Reinsalu added that as we are both also rich in forest, we should work together more closely for the preservation and smart management of this resource.
The report on future cooperation also recommends new cooperation opportunities in digitalisation. “Both Estonia and Sweden are successful digital states but today we are facing similar challenges, so we can jointly develop our cybersecurity and digitalisation skills,” Reinsalu said. He added that the Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund was an excellent opportunity for further integration in digital affairs, as it included a young leaders’ programme and mutual grants for our students.
The first report on the future cooperation between Estonia and Sweden was written by Raul Eamets, Professor of Macroeconomics at the University of Tartu, and Pär Nuder, member of the board of the Sweden-Estonia Cooperation Fund and former Finance Minister of Sweden. The presentation of the report is available for watching on the Foreign Ministry’s YouTube channel.
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