Bilateral Relations

Chronology of Diplomatic Relations

Georgia and the Kingdom of Sweden enjoy long-term close and friendly relations, which date back to the period of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia. Diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Kingdom of Sweden were established in 1918 and re-established on 19 September 1992.
2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic mission of Georgia to the Kingdom of Sweden. 
The 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was celebrated in 2022.
The Embassy of Georgia to the Kingdom of Sweden was opened in 2006, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden to Georgia was founded in 2010. 

Main Fields of Cooperation

Georgia and Sweden maintain multidimensional cooperation and partner relations, based on mutual trust and shared European and Euro-Atlantic values and interests.
Special note should be taken of close cooperation in the political, inter-parliamentary, defence and law-enforcement areas. Special value needs to be placed on cooperation with The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency [SIDA]. Georgia deeply appreciates many years of involvement of Sweden, as one of the largest donors, in the process of institutional and socio-economic modernization of our country. 
The increasing dynamics of relations between the two countries is further bolstered by the exchange of high-level visits and the regular political dialogue, both at the executive and legislative levels.  Worthy of note is the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia to Stockholm in March 2023, in the context of Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the EU. Also in March 2023, HRH Crown Princess Victoria, the heir to the royal throne of Sweden, paid an official visit to Georgia. This visit holds historical significance, as it marks the initial occasion following the restoration of independence when a representative from the European monarchies officially visited Georgia.
Georgia also places significant value on the development of the political dialogue with Sweden within the various Nordic regional formats, particularly on strategic matters that are mutually important. 
The Kingdom of Sweden firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as the non-recognition policy of Georgia’s occupied territories by the Russian Federation, both in bilateral and multilateral formats. Of paramount importance is Sweden’s participation in the EU Monitoring Mission [EUMM]. Sweden is one of the leader countries contributing to the EUMM.
Sweden, as the co-author of the Eastern Partnership project, strongly backs Georgia's bid to join the European Union and actively participates in the implementation of reforms on the European agenda.
Close collaboration at the legislative level is crucial to the development of bilateral relations between the two nations. There is an active exchange of visits between parliamentary delegations, and both countries have established friendship groups within their respective parliaments. Particularly noteworthy is the official visit of the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia to the Kingdom of Sweden in 2022. The Speaker of the Swedish Parliament visited Tbilisi in 2019 and 2017.
Since 2009, the two countries have actively developed defence cooperation. The Defence Ministries of Georgia and Sweden cooperate in the format of bilateral action plan.
Georgia and Sweden also closely interact in the field of law enforcement. In 2017, the Ministers of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Kingdom of Sweden signed Agreement on cooperation, which aims at enhancing ties between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries. Since 2016 Police Attaché has been deployed at the Georgian Embassy to the Kingdom of Sweden and since 2017 Migration Officer has been serving at the Swedish Embassy to Georgia [also accredited to Armenia and Azerbaijan]. 
Trade and economic relations between the two countries are characterized by growing dynamics. Swedish companies are showing increasing interest in the investment climate and business environment of Georgia. The Swedish-Georgian Chamber of Commerce has been functioning in Georgia since 2015. 
The two countries enjoy significant cooperation in education and culture. 
On 7 May 2023, as part of the "Europe Day" celebrations and in light of Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a special event dedicated to the Swedish traditions and  culture "Sweden’s Day" took place in Tbilisi.
The Georgian-Swedish projects are actively funded by the Swedish government agency – Swedish Institute. Georgian students are annually awarded scholarships to continue their studies at the Swedish higher education institutes. Georgian young people are also offered grants to undergo vocational training courses. 
Sweden Alumni Network Georgia was set up in 2015, with the support of the Swedish Institute. The network is still up and running. 
The Centre of Scandinavian studies at the Tbilisi State University offers Swedish language courses. The Malmö University in Sweden provides Georgian language courses and operates the Caucasus Studies Centre. Georgian literature section is set up at Stockholm’s international library. There is a successful cooperation between Stockholm’s Business-Historic Center and the Nobel Brothers Georgian Museum. 
Cooperation at the municipal level is also part of relations between the two countries. Sister cities include: Ambrolauri and Värmland [since 2000], Poti and Östhammar [since 2007], Rustavi and Kiruna [since 2007]. Since 2006, cooperation has been ongoing between Säffle and Telavi.
Several agreements are signed between Georgia and Sweden, encompassing domains such as law enforcement, economics, international development, environmental protection, and other sectors.

Useful Links

Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden to Georgia
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden 
Government of the Kingdom of Sweden 
Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden [Riksdag]
Swedish Royal Family