Swedish embassy has resumed operations

It is still the Estonian diplomatic mission that deals with visa issues.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alena Kupchyna met Sweden’s chargé d'affaires ad interim in Belarus Martin Oberg on Tuesday.

“In the course of the meeting the parties discussed the issues of Belarus and Sweden’s cooperation”, - Belarusian MFA’s press-service reports.

The web-site of Swedish embassy informs that it has resumed operation.

“Swedish embassy will be open for visitors again on weekdays from 9.00 to 12.00. Visa applications for visiting Sweden are still accepted at the embassy of Estonia in Minsk”, - the diplomatic mission’s statement says.

We would remind that the new head of the embassy Martin Oberg was accredited in Belarus and started his service as a chargé d'affaires ad interim in July this year.

The closure of Swedish embassy in Minsk was related to the unauthorized flight of several Swedish citizens to Belarus, who held an action supporting the freedom of speech in Belarus.

On 1 August 2012 Belarusian authorities notified Sweden of non-prolongation of the ambassador Stefan Erikson’s accreditation. The diplomat was accused of destructive activities.

In response to that Swedish authorities claimed they would not accept Belarus’ new ambassador and recommended two employees of the Belarusian embassy to leave Stockholm.

On 8 August Belarus’ MFA announced the withdrawal of all the employees of the Belarusian embassy in Stockholm. The Swedish party was recommended to take similar measures and withdraw all its diplomats from Minsk.