Prime Minister Sobotka held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Löfven on enhancing cooperation in the economic, defence and energy sectors

On Thursday 3 November, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka started a two-day working visit to the Kingdom of Sweden with talks with Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Löfven. The main topics of the joint meeting included the current status and possible deepening of bilateral Czech-Swedish cooperation, primarily in the areas of the economy, energy, security and defence.

Both prime ministers focused their discussions on Czech-Swedish trade cooperation and on strengthening economic contacts between the two countries, particularly in innovative sectors and the digital industry, as well as cooperation in energy and infrastructure projects. Another important topic related to the area of defence and security cooperation, emphasising the defence industry and topical European and foreign policy issues.

The delegations from both countries then focused on current European issues, the area of human rights and cooperation between the Czech Republic and Sweden in the areas of education, science, research and culture.

“We have excellent relations with the Kingdom of Sweden in many areas, whether we are dealing with security, defence or the economy. Sweden is the Czech Republic’s most important Nordic business partner. Overall it ranks among our ten largest trading partners and the volume of trade between our two countries is growing steadily in both directions, with last year breaking records in terms of bilateral trade turnover, which totalled 88 billion CZK. The situation is similar in terms of investment and around 200 companies with Swedish capital participation are operating in the CR. Our government has a strong interest in ensuring that our economic relations continue to develop. I also think that we will be able to attract additional Swedish investors to the Czech Republic. The aim is to focus our collaboration on hi-tech technologies and the energy engineering sector, which have great potential for digitalisation and research activities,” said Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.

As part of his programme in Stockholm, Prime Minister Sobotka, along with the President of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, Josef Středula, is meeting with representatives from the Nordic Council of Trade Unions. He will then visit the Czech-Sweden energy seminar at the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and meet with the Czech expatriate community and students living in the Kingdom of Sweden. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sobotka will complete his programme at a gala evening reception to celebrate Independent Czechoslovak State Day. 

The last time a Czech prime minister made an official visit to Sweden was in June 2009.