Sweden to close down embassy in Manila

The Swedish government has decided to close its embassy in Manila on or before June 30 next year.

In a statement at its website, the embassy said the decision will be effective 30 June 2008 at the latest.

The embassy said the decision to close the diplomatic mission came after a continuous review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of its organizations abroad and assessment of its status in relation to changes in the surrounding world and changing requirements for monitoring and service.

“This is an ongoing process which sometimes leads to Sweden opening new or closing existing embassies and consulates. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs must also adapt its organization abroad to its budget and meet the demands for streamlining that apply to all ministries and government agencies,” the embassy said.

After the closure, applications for visas will be handled by another Schengen Embassy in Manila.

An honorary consulate will be established to provide basic consular support to Swedish citizens. Other duties, such as commercial and political issues, will be handled by another Swedish embassy in the region through accreditation.

“Until further notice, the embassy will perform its duties as usual,” it said.

 The embassy added that it will continuously update information about possible changes to its routines as a consequence of the decision.

Aside from the Philippines, Sweden will also close its embassies in Angola and Laos.

Reports said Sweden will open new embassies in Afghanistan, Sudan and Belarus in 2008 as it plans to increase its humanitarian and financial aid to those countries.

Sweden will open an embassy in Kabul early next year, to closely follow political developments in Afghanistan and participate actively in international cooperation. 

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin said yesterday that the decision to close an embassy is often a cost-cutting measure but the diplomatic relation with the host government remains strong.

“Most of the embassies that closed is because of cost-cutting,” Ebdalin said.

Although no official communication has reached his office about the closure of the embassy next year, Ebdalin said a government may decide to consolidate its services in one place in the region.