Bilateral dialogue between Sweden and the United States on cyber and digital issues

There is considerable consensus between Sweden and the US on the need to jointly develop and enhance cooperation on tackling foreign actors’ antagonistic cyber activities and on countering international cyber crime, including ransomware attacks.

“Close bilateral transatlantic cooperation on cyber and digital issues makes Sweden safer and is an important complement to our memberships of the EU and NATO,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström.

The dialogue covered subjects including the accelerating development of digital technologies, Sweden’s leading role in the telecom sector and developments in artificial intelligence.

“Digital infrastructure, not least 5G, is of huge significance to the economy, but also to security, democracy and human rights. Secure digital infrastructure is a prerequisite for cyber security. It is not only crucial for our countries’ national security. It’s therefore important that Sweden and the US cooperate to promote secure telecom networks around the world,” says Andrés Jato, Ambassador for International Cyber and Digital Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The agreements between Sweden and the US to jointly develop 6G technology was highlighted as an example of the close bilateral cooperation between the countries on digital research and technological development. 

The importance of continuing to act together in the multilateral system for a global, open and democratic cyberspace was also emphasised at the meeting. The question of furthering bilateral cooperation within development assistance was also raised, based on the updated bilateral cooperation agreement between Sida and USAID, which places an emphasis on greater digitalisation and cyber security. Civilian cyber support to Ukraine was also discussed in this context.

The Swedish delegation, which was led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, also included representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance and National Security Council. 

“The delegation’s span is a testament to the collective engagement in cyber and digital issues throughout the Government Offices, as well as the importance that the Government attaches to these issues,” says Andrés Jato, Ambassador for International Cyber and Digital Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.