“Do not be afraid that joy will make the pain worse; it is needed like the air we…” — Goran Persson

There is firm support in the Swedish society for the United Nations and, of course, for the Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

We need a relevant and efficient United Nations.

The United Nations, and the way we approach collective security, must be adapted to changing circumstances. The United Nations is our prime instrument for effective multilateral solutions and a rule-based international order.

We think that the Kyoto protocol is a necessary document, necessary process. I am convinced that we will agree to disagree about substance.