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On 26 August 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, paid a working visit to Sweden. During the visit, the Minister addressed Swedish ambassadors at a meeting, met with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and participated in the Women in Business working lunch for women business leaders. The Minister also visited the defence and security company Scandinavian Astor Group, the Embassy of Latvia in Sweden and met with representatives of the Latvian diaspora in Sweden.
In her address to the heads of Sweden’s diplomatic missions, the Foreign Minister emphasised the close partnership between Latvia and Sweden and their shared responsibility for security in the Baltic Sea region. Sweden’s accession to NATO and the presence of Swedish troops in the NATO Multinational Brigade in Ādaži have significantly strengthened regional security and collective defence. The Minister also highlighted the close collaboration among the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB8), particularly their unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasising that Ukraine’s security is closely linked to the security of the entire Baltic Sea region and Europe.
During the bilateral meeting, Baiba Braže discussed support for Ukraine and efforts to counter Russia, deterrence and defence in the Baltic Sea, transatlantic relations, and current issues on the EU agenda, including EU enlargement and the Multiannual Financial Framework, as well as the bilateral cooperation matters, including the defence industry. Baiba Braže emphasised the need to continue close cooperation in various formats to develop a unified policy aimed at containing Russia. It is necessary to increase sanctions pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet and its ecosystem by imposing sanctions on more vessels and those facilitating their operations.
During the working lunch with business leader, the Minister noted that Latvia and Sweden can serve as an inspiring example for other countries, given the proportion of women in leadership positions and in science. Both Sweden and Latvia are among the EU leaders in this area: women hold 44.4% of management positions in Sweden and 43.4% in Latvia. The two countries’ shared commitment to promoting women’s participation in innovation and entrepreneurship is also reflected in successful examples of cooperation, such as the Outlast Fund, a venture capital fund founded and managed by female entrepreneurs from Latvia and Sweden.
Sweden is the largest investor in Latvia and Latvia’s fifth-largest trading partner. Latvia wishes to continue developing economic cooperation, including in the fields of ICT, the bioeconomy, energy, the defence industry, research and innovation, as well as in the field of drone technology.