The King of Sweden gives an audience to the President of Estonia – Royal Central
Sara Friberg, Royal Court
Sweden and Estonia have a close historical bond and on Thursday King Carl XVI Gustaf held an audience for Estonian President Alar Karis.
The President of Estonia was in Sweden on an official visit from 19 January to 20 January at the invitation of the Speaker of the Riksdag, Andreas Norlen. During his stay in Sweden, the President also visits the Estonian Monument at the Royal Palace, Djurgården, the Estonian School, the Estonian Embassy and the Swedish Parliament.
The two heads of state have met before as Sweden and Estonia already work closely and closely. There are also many Estonians living in Sweden and a large number of Swedish students studying in Estonia.
During the audience, the King spoke with his Estonian colleague about the tense security situation around the Baltic Sea. The two countries are keen to cooperate against Russian aggression – both Estonia and the Swedish state border the Baltic Sea, where Russia has large naval forces.
On 10-11 January, Sweden’s royal couple digitally participated in the National Conference of the People and the Armed Forces 2022. The theme for the National Conference 2022 was sustainable choices in a changing security order, where ten different topics were discussed. The King and Crown Princess participated in the conference from Drottningholm Castle and Haga Castle, respectively, while continuing their self-isolation.
Before, Estonia was wholly or partly under the rule of the Swedish king between 1561 and 1721.
In 1944, Sweden was among the few countries that recognized the former Soviet Union’s occupation of the Baltic countries. Sweden later recognized Estonia in 1991.
Both Sweden and Estonia are members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the European Union.