Sweden celebrated Swedish National Day and highlighted to deepen bilateral ties with the Philippines in key areas such as defense and security, industrial development, innovation, and healthcare.

Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg reiterated that the Philippines will remain Sweden’s strategic partner and will support the country in its goal for economic growth and quest for the rule of law amidst China’s unabated aggression.

“We support the Philippine Development Plan with the vision to improve the country’s economy and provide jobs to Filipinos,” Ambassador Thunborg said.

The lady envoy also revealed that there are around 40 Swedish companies doing business in the Philippines and she also brandished that Sweden is recognized as a global leader in innovation. Since 2016, when the Embassy reopened, Team Sweden — comprised of the Embassy of Sweden, trade and investment council Business Sweden, and Swedish private sector actors — has been actively collaborating with the Philippines in innovation and development. A few of its focus areas has been transportation, energy, retail, and circular economy with companies such as Atlas Copco, H&M, Lynk electric cars, PTC & Wallenius shipping, Volvo Buses, ABB, Nasdaq, BDO, and Transcom. This is possible through the “quadruple helix model” which involves collaboration with the Philippine Government, Swedish and Filipino private sector, international development institutions and other expert communities such as academia, as well as the inclusion of civil society. 

Team Sweden is keen to continue these collaborations, especially in security and defense, sustainable and responsible mining, and healthcare with companies such as Saab, Volvo Trucks and Construction Equipment, Sandvik, Ericsson Telecommunications, and Astra Zeneca.

“Sweden is committed to building a long-term and sustainable relationship with the Philippines. This is attested by the visits of our Minister of Trade Johan Forssell last year, the visit of State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson and leading Swedish industrialist and banker Marcus Wallenberg earlier this year, and now with the Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson,” Ambassador Thunborg added.

At the event, representatives of the Swedish government highlighted the need to address common challenges such as the climate, economic security, and geopolitical tensions. Moreover, in an increasingly polarized world, it is crucial for states to have strong ties with like-minded countries. Sweden sees the Philippines as an important partner with common interests in free trade, the international rules-based order, and the green and digital transition. 

For his part, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said, “Peace and security have indeed for a long time been a priority area in the Swedish-Philippine relations. Sweden has since many years actively supported the Bangsamoro Peace Process, and our two countries also cooperate extensively on matters such as promoting and defending the UN Charter, the rules-based international order and respect for international law, including UNCLOS.”

Meanwhile, Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. gave a message on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In the President’s message, it noted that “The past 77 years of our relations have been marked by friendly exchanges and fruitful cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and investments, maritime cooperation, energy, smart and green solutions, science and technology and of course, defense, your visit today, Minister Jonson is a testament to the deepening of our defense and security relations.”

Since 1983, Sweden has celebrated its National Day on the 6^th of June. This is the date on which Gustav Vasa was elected king in 1523, which laid the foundation of Sweden as a unified nation state, and on which a new, landmark constitution was adopted in 1809. 

Without naming China, Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson has expressed his concern over its “repeated dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels” in the West Philippine Sea.

“These acts put human lives at risk. They undermine regional stability and international norms, and they threaten the security in the region and beyond. These are not only threats to your national security, but they’re threats to our common global security,” Jonson said at Sweden’s National Day celebration Thursday night.

“The Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions have never been more interlinked than they are today. As a trade and innovation-driven economy, Sweden is reliant on the excellence and constant development of our industry, and on good trading relations with partners around the world. Therefore, safe sea lines of communication and freedom of navigation is a core interest for Sweden,” he added.

The defense minister said Sweden is embarking on defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region and is offering to partner with the Philippines on security matters.

“Sweden is just about to launch its defense policies strategy for the Indo-Pacific. We’re looking for enhanced defense dialogues with partners in the region,” he said.

“We also understand that to get peace through strength, peace comes through strength. And that’s why we’re both dedicated in investing into our armed forces in order to strive to continue living in peace, and it’s an investment into our security and freedom. So peace and security have indeed, for a long time, been a priority area for the Swedish-Philippines relations,” he added.

Jonson said he has already met with his Australian counterpart, Richard Miles, and will host his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, in Sweden in July.

“And today, me and the Secretary had excellent discussions about deepening the collaboration and cooperation between Sweden and the Philippines. Our own forces are also engaging with regional partners, and joining regional exercises, adding LNO (liaison officers) to regional commands, and sending officers to higher education in the region are some of the possibilities that we’re looking into right now,” he said.

“And we’re also ready to deepen our collaboration in areas together with the Philippines when it comes to defense innovation, when it comes to cyber, when it comes to space, if the Philippines so wishes,” he added.

The defense minister noted that the over 40 Swede companies in the Philippines encompass many sectors—retail, infrastructure, green transition, defense, cybersecurity, and space.

“As you all know, the Ikea store here in Manila is actually the largest one in the whole world, and I think that’s a strong statement and testament of how close our relations are between our countries. I think they’re absolutely fantastic,” he said.

For her part, Sweden’s Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg bade farewell to the diplomatic community.

“It is now time. During my three years tour of duties in your beautiful country, we in Team Sweden have been granted unparalleled access and hospitality beyond compare. It has been a true pleasure to serve in Manila during this important juncture in Philippine history,” she said.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said both countries are committed to peace and stability.

“Our partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration and mutual understanding. Together we pursue a peaceful, secure, and prosperous future anchored on the rules-based international order. On this note, I wish to express our appreciation to the Kingdom of Sweden for its continued support of the Philippines as we staunchly uphold the tenets of the United Nations Charter, UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling,” Teodoro said.

Key officials from the Swedish and Philippine governments jointly held a workshop on December 13, 2023 to explore potential opportunities for cooperation in financing key infrastructure and development projects in the Philippines to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations.

The Philippine government side was led by the Department of Finance (DOF) while the Swedish government was represented by the Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK), the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN), and the Swedish Development Finance Institution (Swedfund).

Areas of cooperation include project preparatory and feasibility studies financed by Swedfund and the funding of sustainable infrastructure projects utilizing Swedish export credit facilities from SEK and EKN.

“The upcoming finalization and conclusion of the MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] between the Philippines and Sweden only attests to the Swedish government’s continued support for the country in the field of sustainable investment and resilient socioeconomic development,” said Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno.

DOF Undersecretary Maria Edita Z. Tan likewise expressed optimism on the proposed bilateral agreement, highlighting that the finalization of the MOU between the two nations is key for the realization of proposed priority projects in the Philippines being eyed for preparation and financing by Swedish export credits, including possible provision of grant financing by Swedfund and other opportunities for cooperation utilizing Sweden expertise, experience, technology, and comparative advantages.

The workshop allowed government representatives from both sides to review priority areas of development in the Philippines, including public and regional transportation, renewable energy, energy transmission, and circular solutions for water and waste.

“Through this workshop with the DOF, we trust the Philippines and Sweden will establish a good cooperation, which will support the financing of Philippine infrastructure,” said SEK Senior Director of International Finance Birgitta Lindstrom Kruk.

“We believe that the workshop was a good opportunity for Team Sweden to further showcase Swedish financial facilities and find the best areas of synergy with the Philippines,” said EKN Deputy Director for Large Corporates Kjell Forsberg.

The Philippines has previously received cooperation funding through Swedfund wherein Sweco, Europe’s leading engineering and architecture consultancy, was selected to support the feasibility study and provide technical assistance that led to the development of the EDSA Busway.

“Swedfund has been engaged in the Philippines since 2018 supporting the government in developing public transportation in Manila. We hope that the workshop will lead to even closer collaboration and that Team Sweden can be a part of realizing the Philippines’ important green transition and growth agenda,” said Swedfund Manager Anna Älgevik.

On the Philippine side, the workshop was attended by representatives from the Office of the President (OP), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

SEK, EKN, Swedfund, BusinessSweden, and the Embassy of Sweden in Manila represented Team Sweden, which is comprised of the Swedish entities mentioned and Swedish companies.