Saudi Arabia–Sweden relations

Saudi Arabian–Swedish relations

Saudi Arabia	Sweden

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Saudi Arabian–Swedish relations are the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Sweden.

Saudi Arabia and Sweden began establishing relations during the mid-20th century, when Sweden and Saudi Arabia both committed to neutrality throughout World War II. Both countries share a similar system of monarchy, albeit Sweden is a constitutional monarchy while Saudi Arabia is a totalitarian absolute monarchy.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia and Sweden embroiled in a political fallout when Sweden criticized Saudi Arabia over human rights records after Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström accused Saudi Arabia of maltreating Saudi blogger Raif Badawi. In response, Saudi Arabia and Sweden withdrew ambassadors from each other's capitals and Sweden tore down a military deal with Saudi Arabia.^[1] A year later, Saudi Arabia and Sweden resumed diplomatic relations after a series of mission from Sweden to Saudi Arabia.^[2][3]

Sweden had refused to comment about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and remained committed to continue selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.^[4] Previously, Sweden had scrapped arm sales for Saudi Arabia.^[5]

Sweden has been criticized for being complicit in the ongoing Yemeni Civil War whereas Swedish weapons were found to be frequently used by the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia to commit atrocities, previously these weapons were used to quell down protests in Bahrain.^[6][7]

In response, Sweden had sought to reaffirm its commitment for peace process in Yemen. In December 2018, a Sweden-brokered agreement was signed in Swedish capital Stockholm between Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis.^[8]

Saudi Arabia, alongside the United Arab Emirates, is the largest buyer of Swedish weapons despite Sweden's size of population.^[9]

Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Stockholm while Sweden has an embassy in Riyadh.

• Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia
• Foreign relations of Sweden
• List of ambassadors of Saudi Arabia to Sweden
• List of ambassadors of Sweden to Saudi Arabia