May 5, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde made the following joint statement:
“Canada and Sweden share a close relationship with extensive cooperation based on common values ββand priorities. As two like-minded countries, we reaffirm our strong commitment to democratic principles and will work closely together to stand up for the rule-based world order and multilateralism, upholding the rule of law. On the occasion of Sweden’s Foreign Minister’s visit to Ottawa, Ann Linde, Canada and Sweden are committed to further strengthening our deep partnership and to continuing to work together to support peace and prosperity around the world.
“We reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine is not only an attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to decide over its own future, but also an attack on democracy and a violation of international Canada and Sweden agree on the need to ensure responsibility for the international crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. We stand firm in our continued support for Ukraine and its people and strongly condemn Russia’s actions, including its targeting of civilians.
“Our joint response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has shown the importance of transatlantic unity and cooperation. As close transatlantic partners and friends, Canada and Sweden are committed to further strengthening our transatlantic relations, as well as strengthening EU – NATO cooperation, which is key. to our collective security and prosperity.
“We are determined to increase our cooperation to protect and promote democracy whenever it is threatened or undermined, to support civil society and democratic processes, and to counter the growing threat of disinformation. By doing so, we reaffirm our commitment and support to International IDEA. [Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance] and the community of democracies, and is committed to working closely together in these forums to promote and protect democracy globally. Through the Freedom Online Coalition, Canada and Sweden will work together to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as gender equality, both online and offline, and digital integration. We will further strengthen our cooperation to counter foreign threats to democracy, including misinformation through the G7 Rapid Reaction Mechanism. We emphasize the importance of freedom of expression and free and independent media, and will jointly advocate for journalists and other media workers to enjoy human rights through the Media Freedom Coalition.
“As Arctic countries and founding members of the Arctic Council, Canada and Sweden work closely together to promote circumpolar cooperation in the Arctic region. Sweden’s strategy for the Arctic and Canada’s Arctic and northern policy framework recognize both the challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic. We are committed in a peaceful and stable Arctic that addresses the serious problem of climate change and encourages sustainable economic and social development with and for northerners, including indigenous peoples, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation in the fields of polar research, environmental protection, innovation and indigenous peoples.
“As close partner countries in the fight for feminist foreign policy, Canada and Sweden reaffirm our commitment to promote feminist approaches, eliminate structural and indirect barriers for all women, girls and marginalized people, and to integrate gender perspectives into all our common priorities. Our two countries are committed to supporting women’s organizations and collaborating in the development of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Feminist Movements, addressing the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, both our countries are at the forefront of highlighting the importance of a gender perspective in all our efforts, including the adoption of gender-based budgeting, and is committed to supporting the inclusion of women in decision-making and mediation processes and the full implementation of the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security, and we will continue to advocate feminist ll support for the sustainable Development Goal.
“We reaffirm our commitment to hold Iran accountable for the acts and omissions committed by its civilian and military officials that led to the illegal firing of Flight PS752 by ensuring that Iran provides full damages for its violations of international law, and we reaffirm our commitment to work with partners within the International Coordination and Response Group in the pursuit of transparency, accountability and justice for the victims of Flight PS752.
“As we address the most challenging crisis of our time, Canada and Sweden are committed to taking urgent action to address climate change and mitigate its consequences, including by recognizing the link between climate, gender and security. We are determined to achieve We are determined to push for bold and transformative measures, including through the UN Stockholm + 50 conference hosted by Sweden in Stockholm in June, and where Canada will also host the 6th Ministerial meeting on climate action to promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
“We look forward to our expanded collaboration in the coming years.”