U.S. Department of State

Deepening the U.S. Partnership With Northern Europe

On May 16, Finnish Ambassador Ritva Koukku-Ronde welcomed me and the Nordic-Baltic (NB) Ambassadors to her home on Embassy Row for a candid discussion on some of the most pressing global challenges we face today. Over a traditional Scandinavian breakfast, we exchanged views on a wide-range of issues, from the DPRK to ending the bloodshed in Syria to climate change in the Arctic. I very much appreciated hearing from our close friends. MORE

Welcoming the Secretary to Sweden and the Arctic

My team and I at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, had the privilege to welcome Secretary Kerry to Sweden on May 14th and 15th. The Secretary visited Stockholm and Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city. It was the first time a Secretary of State traveled to two Swedish cities in one visit and the second time we welcomed a Secretary of State to Sweden during the past year (Secretary Clinton was here last June). MORE

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks at the Arctic Council Ministerial Session in Kiruna, Sweden on May 15, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/05/209403.htm

Ten Things You Should Know About the Arctic and the Arctic Council

An Iceberg Is Seen Off Ammassalik Island in Eastern Greenland

1. The Arctic Council is comprised of eight member countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. MORE

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm, Sweden on May 14, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/05/209352.htm

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry uncorks a bottle of champagne en route from Andrews Air Force Base to Stockholm, Sweden as he celebrates the first press briefing at the U.S. Department of State Department by his new Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, on May 13, 2013. [State Department photo / Public Domain]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry greets U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska as the two prepare to depart from Andrews Air Force Base for the Arctic Council meeting in Stockholm, Sweden on May 13, 2013. [State Department photo / Public Domain]

Internet Freedom Fellows Program Emphasizes Defense of Fundamental Freedoms Online

Ambassador Eileen Donahoe introduces the 2012 Internet Freedom Fellows during a press conference at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe serves as the U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council.

At the Human Rights Council (HRC), the United States has consistently placed special emphasis on the protection and promotion of the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, because we understand that these fundamental freedoms are essential to facilitating the exercise of other universal rights.

As activity in the economic, social, and the political realms gravitates from the offline world to the online world, we have an additional responsibility to ensure that human rights and fundamental freedoms are not eroded simply because they are being exercised in the digital realm. The United States is committed to the principle that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected in the online world.

Last week, I had the chance to spend time with the Internet Freedom Fellows, six young human rights activists, each of whom is… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks with Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Bildt after their meeting in Stockholm, Sweden on June 3, 2012. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

Secretary Clinton in Sweden

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, Swedish Defense Minister Karin Enstrom, 2nd left, and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, left, greet local residents at Vaxholm Island near Stockholm, Sweden, June 3, 2012. [AP Photo]

More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

On June 3, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, where she met with senior Swedish officials to discuss a range of issues, including green energy, Internet freedom, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.

Following her meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Secretary Clinton said, “Sweden brings its diplomatic heft and its development expertise to nearly every corner of the globe. And at the Chicago Summit we were pleased to welcome Sweden as one of NATO’s strongest partners, standing…more »