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Home , Carl Bildt, Gunilla Carlsson, Justus Lipsius building

2010

Press release 22 January 2010 Prime Minister's Office Cecilia Malmström steps down as Minister for EU Affairs Today, Friday 22 January, Cecilia Malmström asked to be relieved from her post as minister.

Ms Malmström will take up her new post as 's EU Commissioner for Home Affairs once the has approved the entire incoming . This is expected to take place on 9 February. External links Michel Cercones contact Ms Malmström's spokesperson at the European Commission is Michele Cercone, who can be reached at information on the telephone number: +32 2 298 09 63. Commission's web site The members of the Barroso Commission designate (2009- 2014) on the Commission's web site Contact Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00 2009

Press release 12 June 2009 Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cecilia Malmström to Luxembourg for meeting

On Monday 15 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will take part in the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Luxembourg.

The EU ministers' agenda includes preparations ahead of the European Council meeting on 18-19 June. The foreign ministers will discuss issues including the Middle East, Cuba and the Western .

Time and place Press briefing with Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström Time: Monday 15 June, approx. 12.00 Place: Swedish briefing room

Press briefing with Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt Time: Monday 15 June, after lunch, approx. 15.00 Place: Swedish briefing room

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 01 June 2009 Prime Minister's Office Cecilia Malmström launches the website for the Swedish Presidency of the EU In exactly one month, Sweden takes over the Presidency of the EU. Today, 1 June, Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström presents the Presidency website, se2009.eu.

The overall aims of the Swedish Presidency are that it should be transparent, efficient and results oriented. These goals have also guided the development of the website. The ambition is that the website will be the most comprehensive source of information for those who want to follow the Presidency. External links "The website is more generous than those of previous Presidencies, for example in terms of contact details. This is a concrete way to demonstrate accessibility and transparency", says Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Website for the Swedish Malmström. Presidency of the EU

It is easy to navigate around the calendar, which has viewing options that allow the user to select the information that particularly interests him or her. All the information about individual meetings will be gathered in one place - this includes agendas, texts and conclusions. Today it is not possible to find the agendas of the working groups on the internet. The Swedish Presidency will publish agendas so that it is easy to follow developments on a particular issue.

Editors will report for the website from all the major meetings. Film will also be used to a greater extent than has been done before on Presidency websites. Different key players will give an insight into the world of the Presidency through interviews broadcast on the website, blogs and . Getting bloggers involved is an important aim for the Presidency website.

As 1 July approaches, further information and functions will gradually be added to the website.

Contact Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 29 May 2009 Prime Minister's Office Press invite: Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström launches the website for the Swedish Presidency of the EU On Monday, 1 June, the Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström unveils the Presidency website at Malmö Högskola (Malmö University).

Time and place Related Time: Monday, 1 June at 11.00 The Swedish EU Presidency Place: the Orkanen library, Nordenskiöldsgatan 10 (top floor), Malmö University

Students from the university and journalists are welcome to participate. Please note that the press conference will be held in Swedish. Web cast of this press conference will be made available.

Contact Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 14 May 2009 Prime Minister's Office Ministers' engagements weeks 21-22 2009

Subject to change.

For further information contact the Minister's press secretary. Related Press contacts Calendar for Prime Minister Prime Minister's Office Calendar for Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt Calendar for Minister for Trade Ewa Björling Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt 18 May Travel in Sweden

20 May Party leader debate ahead of European Parliament election,

25 May Travel in Sweden

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt 18 May Participation in GAERC, Visit to Göteborg, Sweden

21 May Visit to Warsaw Visegrad Meeting

24-26 May ASEM, Hanoi

27-28 May Visit to Phnom Penh

Minister for Trade Ewa Björling 18 May Visit to Göteborg, Sweden

19 May Visit to Almi Företagspartner (Almi Business Partner)

19 May Dialogue meeting on the export ban on Swedish snuff in the EU internal market

20 May Advisory Committee on EU Affairs, Riksdag Meeting with World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick at World Bank meeting, Helsinki

25 May Speech at Africa Day Seminar on Strategic Partnerships for African Development, 27 May Main speaker and award presenter at SwedenBIO's Annual General Meeting

27 May Informal meeting with African ambassadors based in Stockholm on EPA negotiations

28 May Competitiveness Council, Brussels

29 May Visit to Tranås, Sweden

Press release 08 May 2009 Prime Minister's Office EU Ministers from six Member States meet in Malmö On Monday 11 May, Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will meet EU Ministers from the present and incoming Presidency trios for informal discussions.

Time and place Time: Monday 11 May at 09.00-13.30 Place: County Governor's residence, Stortorget, Malmö, Sweden

The Czech Presidency will be represented by newly appointed Minister for European Affairs Stefan Füle. The EU ministers from France, EU Minister Bruno Le Maire, and Spain, EU Minister Diego Lopez Garrido, will also be present.

Hungary will be represented by State Secretary Gabor Ivan and by General Director Xavier Demoulin.

Discussions on the climate negotiations, the and the EU Strategy for Growth and Jobs will be on the agenda at the meeting, as well as the incoming Swedish Presidency.

Welcome!

Contact Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 27 April 2009 Prime Minister's Office Growth and Jobs - the Challenges for Europe, Open Seminar The Swedish Prime Minister's Office and the British Embassy would like to invite you to an open seminar at .

The UK Minister for European Affairs Caroline Flint: How can the EU respond to the economic crises? Download Open Seminar on Growth and Jobs - the Challenges for The Swedish Minister for European Affairs Cecilia Malmström: Europe (pdf 240 kB) Challenges for the Swedish Presidency.

Moderated by Mats Hallgren from .

Time and place Tuesday 28 April 2009 14:30-15:30 Aula Magna, Stockholm University, Frescativägen 6

Contact Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00 Johan Sandberg Deputy Director +46 8 405 19 89 +46 70 671 9277 2008

Press release 05 December 2008 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister's Office Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström to EU Council meeting in Brussels

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will take part in the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on Monday 8 December.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs' agenda includes EU enlargement, the , Pakistan, Congo, the Middle East and the summit preparations, and the Western Balkans.

Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will meet her colleagues to prepare for the European Council on 11-12 December.

Press briefing with Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt Time: Monday, 8 December at 15.00 Venue: Council Building , Swedish briefing room

Press briefing with Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström Time: Monday 8 December at 11.00 Venue: Council Building Justus Lipsius, Swedish briefing room

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Elin Boberg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 14 February 2008 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister's Office Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström to EU Council meeting in Brussels

On Monday 18 February Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will take part in the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels.

The agenda includes the Western Balkans, Middle East and the EU European Neighbourhood Policy. Kenya and Chad will also be discussed.

Cecilia Malmström will meet ministers responsible for EU affairs to prepare the European Council on 13-14 March.

Press meeting with Carl Bildt Time: Monday 18 February at about 16.00 Venue: Justus Lipsius, Swedish briefing room

Press meeting with Cecilia Malmström Time: Monday 18 February at about 11.00 Venue: Justus Lipsius, Swedish briefing room

Contact Sara Malmgren Leave of absence Mikael Persson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 09 January 2008 Prime Minister's Office Meetings of the Council of Ministers in Sweden during the Swedish Presidency of the EU in autumn 2009 "In autumn 2009, Sweden will hold the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. This means that for six months Sweden will lead the work of moving the common EU agenda forward. The Presidency will also be an opportunity to highlight Sweden and Swedish culture, traditions and know-how." This was the comment of Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström, who is is charge of preparations for the Swedish Presidency.

The majority of the thousands of meetings that will be held during the Swedish Presidency will take place in Brussels and Luxembourg, but a small number will be held in the country holding the Presidency.

The following ministerial meetings will be held in Sweden in the second half of 2009:

Informal meeting of social policy ministers, 3-5 July in Jönköping, Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, 15-17 July in Stockholm, Informal meeting of environment ministers, 24-25 July in Åre, Informal meeting of energy ministers, 26-27 July in Åre, Informal meeting of foreign ministers, 4-5 September in Stockholm, Informal meeting of finance ministers, 25-26 September in Göteborg, Informal meeting of defence ministers, 28-29 September in Göteborg, Informal meeting of education ministers, preliminary date 1-2 October in Göteborg, Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers, 15-16 October in Umeå, Informal meeting of e-administration ministers and e-administration conference, 19-20 November in Malmö, and Meeting of foreign affairs ministers on following up the Barcelona Process, 3-4 December in Stockholm. An informal meeting of agriculture and fisheries ministers will also be held. The location of the meeting has not been decided as yet.

An informal EU summit is also being considered and if held it will be in Stockholm.

Many considerations lie behind the choices of location for the meetings. Exacting demands must be met as regards the venue, hotels, airports, security etc for these meetings.

The number of delegates is considerably greater now, after the enlargement of the EU, compared with the previous Swedish Presidency in 2001. Another important aspect is the stricter demands regarding security arrangements. The Government's ambition is to find a good balance between security requirements and openness in dialogue with places hosting the meetings.

Effectiveness and cost have also been taken into account. When possible, certain meetings will be arranged back to back. For example energy ministers will meet directly after the environment ministers in Åre. In Göteborg a week of meetings will start with the finance ministers, followed by the defence ministers and finally the education ministers. In that way we can benefit from the infrastructure built up for each meeting on more than one occasion.

Meetings at the level of heads of state and government between the EU and third countries will take place. One or two of these may be held in Sweden.

The work of planning the calendar of other meetings in Sweden is under way and is expected to be finished in spring 2008.

Contact Mikael Persson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 2007

Press release 18 October 2007 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Fredrik Reinfeldt, Cecilia Malmström and Carl Bildt to Lisbon for informal EU summit

On 18-19 October, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström are to travel to Lisbon to attend the informal EU Summit. Related Among the subjects to be discussed at the Summit by the EU Heads of State and Government are the new EU Reform Treaty, the Lisbon Strategy and the significance of external trade for growth and employment in Europe.

Programme points:

Thursday 18 October 16.00 Nordic-Baltic prime minister meeting Place: Sheraton Hotel, Lisbon 18.00 Informal Summit, opening of working session Place: Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Rua do Bojador- Parque de Nacões

Friday 19 October 9.00 Informal Summit Place: Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Rua do Bojador- Parque de Nacões 12.30 Photo opportunity In the afternoon, there will be a press conference in connection with the conclusion of the Summit.

There will be media access on Thursday.

Contact Roberta Alenius +46 8 405 10 00 Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Sara Malmgren Leave of absence

Press release 18 September 2007 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Carl Bildt to attend Troika talks in Prague On Wednesday and Thursday, 19-20 September, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will meet the Czech Republic's Deputy Premier for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra and Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg, as well as France's Minister of State responsible for EU Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet, in Prague.

The meeting is part of the preparatory work ahead of the three countries' EU presidencies. Ms Malmström is responsible for the preparations of the Swedish Presidency. The "Troika" - France, the Czech Republic and Sweden - will hold successive presidencies in the above order, starting autumn 2008 and extending through 2009.

On Wednesday, Mr Bildt and Ms Malmström will also inaugurate the exhibition of the Devil's Bible in Prague. The Devil's Bible, or Codex Gigas, is a manuscript of the bible, named after an illustration depicting a devil. It was originally written in the 13th century and is ordinarily kept at the Royal Library in Stockholm.

Inauguration of the Devil's Bible exhibition: Time: Wednesday, 19 September at 18.00-19.00 Place: The Klementinum Gallery, Krizovnicka 190, Prague

Press conference Press conference in connection with the trilateral meeting: Time: Thursday, 20 September at 14.00 Place: Hrzánský Palace, Loretánská 9, Prague

Advance notice of your intention to attend the press conference is appreciated.

Contact Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Sara Malmgren Leave of absence

Press release 15 June 2007 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström to attend EU Council meeting in Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will take part in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in Luxembourg on 17-18 June.

The meeting will begin on Sunday evening with a preparatory discussion on the constitutional treaty ahead of the EU Summit at the end of next week. The German EU Presidency aims to reach political agreement on the shape of a new treaty in connection with the meeting of Heads of State and Government at the end of the week. "The treaty will give the EU new rules to enable it to take decisions more quickly and efficiently, while increasing transparency and democracy. Like most of the other countries, Sweden considers that we should change as little as possible in the constitutional treaty, particularly in the important chapter on decision-making in the Union," says Ms Malmström.

The Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation in the Middle East and other current foreign policy issues such as the Western Balkans, with a focus on and , Iran and the developments in and the situation in Darfur. The Council is also expected to decide that the EU will push for a UN resolution against the death penalty.

"In view of the alarming course of events in the Palestinian territories and the conflicts in Gaza, it is important for the EU to discuss how it can help stop the violence and promote developments that will lead to a political solution to the crisis, so that the humanitarian situation can be improved and the path towards a peace process opened," says Mr Bildt.

The media are invited to attend the press meetings that Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström will be holding separately in the Swedish Delegation Room in the LUX Council Building. The times for these meetings will be announced later.

Press release 11 May 2007 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister's Office Ministry of Defence Four Swedish ministers to Council meeting in Brussels

The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will meet in Brussels on 14-15 May. Sweden will be represented at the Council by Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström. The EU ministers will discuss preparations ahead of the summit in Brussels on 21-22 May. This time, EU defence ministers and development cooperation ministers will also hold meetings of their own. Sweden will be represented at these meetings by Minister for Defence and Minister for International Development Cooperation .

The agenda for the foreign ministers' meeting includes preparations ahead of the EU summit with Russia, Somalia, the peace process in the Middle East, Sudan and the Western Balkans. The foreign ministers will also hold a joint session with the defence ministers to discuss such issues as EU operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

The defence ministers will discuss such issues as the EU's military crisis management capacity, the EU's rapid reaction capacity, the ongoing reform of the EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and cooperation between the EU and the UN in connection with crisis management.

The development cooperation ministers will discuss such issues as EU economic partnership agreements with developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, trade-related development assistance, a joint code of conduct in the field for better development assistance efficiency and increased development assistance volumes.

The foreign ministers' meeting One of the most important issues on the agenda is the preparations for the summit with Russia and possibly the related issue of a mandate for negotiations on a new legal framework for cooperation with Russia. Not least, recent events point to the need for a discussion in the EU on relations with Russia as a whole. The Government attaches great importance to the EU developing these relations with the aim of increasing transparency, predictability and stability in cooperation with Russia. A cohesive and consistent Russia policy in which the EU speaks with one voice is essential.

As regards the Middle East, focus will be on follow up of the Arab League's peace initiative. In connection with the Council meeting, a special meeting will also take place between the EU and the foreign ministers of several Arab states. EU support to Palestinian development remains urgent. The EU has initiated contact with the Palestinian government and will continue to monitor the government's actions in relation to the Quartet's three principles.

Defence ministers' meeting Important progress has been made in work to achieve the EU's Headline Goal 2010. Examples of this are the current evaluation of the Member States' contributions to the EU Force Catalogue and the new contributions that some Member States have made during the spring.

We note with satisfaction that as of 1 January 2007, the EU reached full capability to be able to conduct two rapid reaction operations of Battle Group size, practically at the same time. Thanks to the contributions of the Member States, the EU rapid reaction capability is currently assured up to and including the first half of 2010.

Cooperation between the EU and the UN in the ongoing joint crisis management operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sudan are welcome. It is important to further strengthen cooperation between the EU and the UN in connection with crisis management.

Development assistance ministers' meeting Sweden fulfils the UN goal of 0.7 % in aid by 2015 by a large margin. The Minister for International Development Cooperation will emphasise the importance of other EU countries now taking their responsibility and fulfilling their commitments of increased development assistance volumes so as to achieve the Monterrey agreement's goals concerning poverty reduction. She will also emphasise the importance of ensuring results and quality in development cooperation as development assistance volumes increase.

Contact Martina Ränk Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Niclas Bengtsson Mikael Östlund

Press release 21 March 2007 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Carl Bildt to take part in celebrations of the EU 50th anniversary Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt are to take part in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome on Friday 23 March.

Time and place 23 March at 13.30-15.00 Hotel Rival, Cinema Mariatorget 3

Entry at 13.00 Mix and mingle at 15.00-17.00

Together with the Representation of the European Commission in Sweden and the European Parliament's Information Office in Sweden, the Government is holding an open seminar on the theme of "Thoughts on Europe - the EU 50 Years". Ms Malmström and Mr Bildt are to be joined by Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission, Jasenko Selimnovic, Head of Radioteatern, MEP Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop and journalist Kjell Albin Abrahamson. The Moderator will be John Chrispinsson.

Please bring your press credentials.

Contact Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Christian Carlsson

Press release 09 February 2007 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Cecilia Malmström and to EU meeting in Brussels Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Minister for Foreign Trade Sten Tolgfors will take part in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on Monday 12 February.

The agenda includes discussions on the Western Balkans, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the peace efforts in Sudan and Somalia. The meeting will also consider the Doha Round in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and preparations ahead of the European Council meeting on 8-9 March.

The media are invited to attend the press meetings that Carl Bildt, Cecilia Malmström and Sten Tolgfors will be holding separately in the Swedish press briefing room in the Council's Justus Lipsius building. The times for these meetings will be announced later.

Contact Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Maria Pålsson Pressekreterare Christian Carlsson

Press release 19 January 2007 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström to EU meeting in Brussels Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will take part in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on Monday 22 January.

The agenda includes discussions on the Western Balkans, the peace process in the Middle East and the peace efforts in Sudan and Somalia. The meeting will also address the Lisbon strategy, the EU strategy to meet the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the Union. External links EU:s website The media are invited to attend the press meetings that Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström will be holding separately in the Swedish press briefing room in the Council's Justus Lipsius building. The times for these meetings will be announced later.

Contact Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Christian Carlsson 2006

Press release 08 December 2006 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström to EU meeting in Brussels

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will take part in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 11 December. Related Topics on the agenda include enlargement, the Middle East and Afghanistan. The meeting will also discuss the Permanent Representation of Council's 18-month programme, which contains issues of vital importance to EU citizens such as employment, Sweden to the European growth, environmental and energy issues, the fight against crime, and the EU's role in the world. Also on the Union agenda are preparations ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels on 14-15 December.

The media are invited to attend the press meetings that Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström will be holding separately in the Swedish press briefing room in the Council's Justus Lipsius building. The times for these meetings will be announced later.

Contact Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00 Martina Ränk Christian Carlsson

Press release 28 November 2006 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister's Office Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström to visit Brussels

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will visit Brussels on 28-29 November.

During the visit, Mr Bildt and Ms Malmström will meet many representatives of EU institutions, including President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Commissioners Rehn, Ferrero-Waldner, Michel, Frattini, Mandelson and Wallström.

Press meeting Media representatives are welcome to attend a press meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Bildt and Minister for EU Affairs Malmström in the Swedish briefing room in the Council's Justus Lipsius building on 29 November from 17.00-17.30.

Contact Christian Carlsson Elin Gunnarsson Press Secretary to Cecilia Malmström +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 15 November 2006 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Turkey's Finance Minister and EU Negotiator Ali Babacan to visit Sweden

Turkey's Minister of State in charge of Economy and Head of the country's EU negotiations Ali Babacan is to visit Stockholm on Wednesday 15 November 2006. Mr Babacan is to take part in talks with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Minister for Trade Sten Tolgfors.

Points for discussion will include bilateral relations, the Turkish reform process and the ongoing EU negotiations.

Mr Babacan will also meet representatives of the Riksdag and the Swedish business sector.

Press meeting After the talks with Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, a press meeting will be held.

Time and place: Wednesday 15 November at 11.50 Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Gustav Adolfs Torg 1, Stockholm

Assembly at the entrance at 11.40 Please bring your press credentials

Contact Peder Spångberg Desk Officer UD-EU + 46 708 87 57 71