29 April, 2022
Inauguration of the Swedish National China Centre and Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies
From left: Marie Söderberg, Chairman of UI's board, Björn Jerdén, Director of NKK, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde, Fredrik Löjdquist, Director of SCEEUS and Jakob Hallgren, Director of UI.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde spoke this week at the inauguration of the two centres at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs: The Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies and Swedish National China Centre.
"Unfortunately, it is difficult to imagine a more appropriate time to inaugurate the two centres tasked with analyzing how great powers' actions affect their environment and the international system. Increasing knowledge about these two important regions is a strategic priority, and I look forward to following the centres' continued work," said Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.
The Swedish National China Centre conducts policy-relevant, research-based analysis and offers advice on China-related subjects. The Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies provides policy-relevant analysis on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.
"Relations with Russia and other countries in Eastern Europe are critical to Swedish foreign and security policy. Strengthening regional competence in Sweden is warranted, given how the security situation in Europe has fundamentally changed," said Jakob Hallgren, Director at UI. "China’s role in the world is also becoming increasingly important. The Swedish National China Centre will provide Swedish government offices and agencies, and civil society, with knowledge on China."
The Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies and the Swedish National China Centre were established at UI in 2021. Both centres seek to increase general knowledge in Sweden about their respective focus regions, Eastern Europe and China.
Watch the recording of the inauguration here (in Swedish):