The King and Queen are soon embarking on their second outgoing and fifth state visit in total, for 2024. A remarkable pace for a couple in close to 80, and I guess they will not slow down the coming years.
The Government's Export and Trade Strategy suggest that countries in Asia and Oceania are of extra importance or potential for Sweden. Already next week we see the state visit to Singapore, one of the highlighted countries. Japan, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand are deemed as important due to the Free trade agreement with EU but also countries where these negotiations are ongoing, such as Australia, India and Indonesia.
In recent years state visits to and/or from Korea, India and Indonesia has already taken place. Perhaps Australia and New Zealand are seen as more important together with a visit of the new Emperor of Japan, with the last incoming state visit in 2000.
However, the political and security situation in Europe is strained, and many of Sweden’s closest allies and tradig partners are in Europe.
A state visit to Spain wouldn't be unlikely to reciprocate the 2021 state visit and the last state visit to Spain taking place in 1979.
Poland is one of the closest allies, also given its location across the Baltic Sea, and the last incoming state visit was in the 1990's. However, with a Presidential Election in Poland next year it migh be doubtful.
Iceland's new President will for sure visit Sweden soon. I assume a visit to Norway in the spring will be followed by a visit to Sweden. Maybe already before summer or during the fall.
We're all waiting for a UK-Swedish state visit. Many things speak in favor of this. UK is an important trade and export partner for Sweden and there are reasons to strengthen the relations after Sweden joining Nato. On top of that the last visits took place in the 70's and 80's.
In short, possible state visits in 2025:
- Japan (outgoing or incoming)
- Poland (incoming)
- Iceland (incoming)
- UK (outgoing or incoming)
- Spain (outgoing)
- Belgium (incoming)
- Australia (outgoing)
- New Zealand (outgoing)
