The Ministry of Foreign Affairs promotes the security and welfare of Sweden and the Swedes, and work for a more secure world. Sweden’s foreign representation consists of more than 100 embassies overseas and around 400 honorary consulates. In a post-globalized world, safety and security of diplomatic missions overseas have become a core value to endeavor within diplomacy.
Sweden uses peace and security encouragement at representations overseas. To reinforce international cooperation, Sweden’s long-term goal perspective is to uphold foreign representations placed overseas. Moreover, it is about a mutual exchange of trade and cultural connections and assist Swedes with consular cases. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a host country has a responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and vice versa. The Swedish embassies overseas assignments include public diplomacy, politics, trade and culture in the host country. Swedish embassies can be large or small and consist of seconded employees, local employees and at some embassies, additional representatives from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swedish Police Agency and the Swedish Armed Forces.
Permanent Measures in High-Risk Countries
The Foreign Ministry prioritize permanent measures in high-risk countries where diplomats are placed. Protective measures are the collective term that include measures taken to protect personnel and operations. A couple of permanent measures that have been taken are diverse levels of shell protection at an Embassy, Consulate and Residence, reinforcements in vehicles, personnel protective equipment, mobile phone communication devices and high qualified guards.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry continually put diplomatic missions’ abroad safety at first, sending personnel who investigate the needs of protective measures and security work, personal safety and personal protection. Organized crisis preparedness that addresses consular crisis is a further branch at the Swedish embassy. The embassies uphold an exceptional crisis preparedness to handle major crisis that may affect Swedes abroad. Serious accidents or disasters are incidents regarding security and infrastructure in an affected area.
Challenges and Security Reinforcement at Embassies
The continuously challenge the security industry and Foreign Ministries commonly strive towards are reinforcement of security and reduction of vulnerabilities. To find vulnerabilities and increase the security mindset in foreign embassies and within the private sector, one must dare to go outside your ”comfort zone”. We at Protection operate, among other tasks, at foreign embassies, consulates and residence in Stockholm. Our security guards work daily in uniform, check ground and perimeter areas, control access within the specific area, monitor and operate surveillance equipment. Additionally, investigate security vulnerabilities where potential agents provocateurs can exploit.
The security guard is responsible for the embassy personnel’s safety, provide security assessments such as incoming threats to the embassy. When it comes to preventive measures, providing staff with relevant and up-to-date information continual threats and risk analyses are essential. Moreover, our security guards hold security training and D-HLR training (first aid training) for the embassy staff. We at Protection are fluent in English, Swedish, Spanish, Greek and Serbian.
Contact Information
Are you in need of stationary, roving surveillance and risk assessments at an embassy? Or in need of personal protection? E-mail to carolina.cornejo@2secure.se Carolina Cornejo, Security Consultant, Protection.
