International activities

The members of the Riksdag work internationally to promote democracy, peace and human rights. This work includes, for example, receiving foreign parliamentarians at the Riksdag, participation by members of the Riksdag in election monitoring missions in other countries, and membership of interparliamentary assemblies.

The Speaker Andreas Norlén at the rostrum. Flags from different countries are hanging in the background.

In December 2018, the Riksdag delegation to the Nordic Council hosted a seminar highlighting the centenary of the declaration of independence of the Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Speaker Andreas Norlén opened the seminar with an address. Photo: Anders Löwdin

The Riksdag's international activities have increased in recent years. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and Sweden's membership of the EU in 1995 are two factors that have contributed to the internationalisation of the Riksdag.

Parliamentary assemblies

Some 100 members of the Riksdag have been chosen to take part in the Riksdag's delegations to six parliamentary assemblies. These are:

  • The Nordic Council
  • The Council of Europe
  • The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
  • The Interparliamentary Union (IPU)
  • NATO
  • The Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM)

Their work involves participating in the regular meetings - sessions - of these assemblies, where topical issues are discussed and resolutions adopted. The number of member states in the assemblies varies from five (Nordic Council) to 166 (IPU). This means that the sessions are excellent arenas in which the members of the Riksdag can meet colleagues from other parts of the world.

Parliamentary assemblies

Foreign visits

The Riksdag receives between 100 and 150 visits by foreign delegations every year. These guests may be Speakers and parliamentarians from other countries who meet colleagues in the Riksdag and discuss matters of common interest. The members of the Riksdag also travel to other countries to study how other countries have dealt with certain issues.

The Latvian Speaker Ināra Mūrniece and the Speaker Andreas Norlén shakes hands.

The Riksdag receives many international visits every year. The Latvian Speaker Ināra Mūrniece visited Sweden on 11-13 March 2019 at the invitation of the Speaker Andreas Norlén. Photo: Anders Löwdin

Members of the Riksdag with a special interest in a particular country can establish a friendship association for that country. There are currently around 44 friendship associations and networks in the Riksdag.

Friendship associations and networks

Parliamentary and democratic development cooperation

Since the 1990s, the Riksdag has increased its international efforts to promote democracy in various countries. This work takes place, for example, through seminars and study visits, where members and officials of the Riksdag meet colleagues from parliaments in a process of development or transition.

Election monitoring missions in which members of the Riksdag participate are another concrete activity that encourages democratic development. During an election monitoring mission, members of the Riksdag travel to the country in question, where they visit polling stations and see whether citizens in the country are given the opportunity to vote.

Election monitoring