Sweden ends arms deal with Saudi Arabia after human rights standoff

[Zarvan]

Margot Wallstroem.(Reuters / Valentin Flauraud )

Arms, Europe, Saudi Arabia
Sweden will cancel its arms deal with Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has confirmed. The decision comes after the ultraconservative kingdom blocked the Swedish foreign minister’s speech on human rights at an Arab League meeting.

"It is true that it will be ended. The Minister of Defense will talk more about this later tonight," Lofven told reporters during an official visit to Kiev.

The controversial trade agreement, which included the export of military arms to Saudi Arabia – Sweden’s fourth biggest export market for arms outside the EU – was up for renewal this year.

Earlier on Tuesday, Arab foreign ministers defended Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and criticized Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom’s comments in which she accused the kingdom of blocking her speech at the Arab League meeting in Cairo. Wallstrom had been invited to the meeting as a guest of honor, as a nod to her country's recognition of Palestine last autumn.

“The ministers have voiced their condemnation and astonishment at the issuance of such statements that are incompatible with the fact that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based on Sharia,”the ministers said in a statement, according to Swedish media.

“Sharia has guaranteed human rights and preserved people’s lives, possessions, honor and dignity. The ministers consider the comments as irresponsible and unacceptable,” the statement added.

Wallstrom accused Riyadh on Monday of “reacting strongly” to Sweden’s position on human rights issues.

“The explanation we have been given is that Sweden has highlighted the situation for democracy and human rights, and that is why they do not want me to speak,” she told TT news agency in Cairo. “It’s a shame that a country has blocked my participation.”

Wallstrom’s canceled speech, published on the Swedish Foreign Ministry's website, touched on the issues of women’s and human rights, as well as the importance of recognizing Palestinian statehood. The speech did not explicitly mention Saudi Arabia, but rather highlighted the ties between Sweden and the Middle East, urging for continued cooperation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lofven refuted speculations that the move to cancel the deal was in response to the diplomatic standoff. "This has been agreed for some time now. It has nothing to do with what has happened in recent days," he said, according to Swedish Radio.

The trade agreement, first signed in 2005, was renewed by the previous center-left government five years ago. The accord netted Swedish firms over $560 billion between 2011 and 2014.

Last Friday, Wallstrom voiced her support for the accord, saying: “We have a very extensive trade with Saudi Arabia and economic ties and opportunities we all are anxious to retain.”
​Sweden ends arms deal with Saudi Arabia after human rights standoff — RT News

 

[Daneshmand]

First Germany and now Sweden. Though it is not about human rights or anything. Human rights is just a convenient excuse. A strategic shift is occurring. Away from Saudis.

 

[ejaz007]

Some one else shall fill the gap. Sweeden needs to realize human rights and weapons deals do not work together. If this was the case US, UK, German defense industry would have ended by now.

 

[Daneshmand]

Some one else shall fill the gap. Sweeden needs to realize human rights and weapons deals do not work together. If this was the case US, UK, German defense industry would have ended by now.

They already know that. Sweden used to sell specialized artillery systems for delivery of chemical weapons to Saddam which he used on Iranians. This is very well documented. Human rights here is just a convenient excuse. The real thing happening is a strategic shift that is occurring.

 

[That Guy]

It's okay, the Sweds can keep their dignity by standing firm in their beliefs, and the Saudis can simply buy from another more willing seller.

 

[Beast]

It's okay, the Sweds can keep their dignity by standing firm in their beliefs, and the Saudis can simply buy from another more willing seller.

So much for those western military arm lover who always prefer western stuff compare to Chinese one. They need to wake up from their dream that such thing will happen to themselves one day and the embargo will start to hurt them.

Some one else shall fill the gap. Sweeden needs to realize human rights and weapons deals do not work together. If this was the case US, UK, German defense industry would have ended by now.

It's already starting now. First France then Germany and now Sweden.

 

[root]

Human Rights BS. Saudia Arabia will start purchasing weapons from Russia & China.Enjoy your human rights.

 

[That Guy]

So much for those western military arm lover who always prefer western stuff compare to Chinese one. They need to wake up from their dream that such thing will happen to themselves one day and the embargo will start to hurt them.

Or, you know, buy from another western nation, like the US or France, both of which don't really give a damn about civil rights issues.

You seriously need to use critical thinking skills. I'm pretty sure they taught you that in school, so use it.

You're right, I do prefer western to Chinese, because western tech is far superior and has a long history to back it's superiority. When a soldier fires a US made weapon, he knows it will work, because of the decades of history and development behind his system; the same can't be said for many Chinese systems.

That's not to say all. There are a lit of Chinese systems that are great. The j-10, the j-20, mbt-3000, howitzers, small arms, mraps, and naval ships such as the type-52, are just some of the high quality systems that china can produce. For nations with tight budgets, or even decent sized ones, Chinese systems are worth the money most of the time. HOWEVER, things such as engines that are required for a lot of Chinese systems, they are NOT reliable. That is why the JF-17 is using a Russian engine, not Chinese. That is why the al-Khalid uses Ukrainian engines, not Chinese. That is why the shahpar and burraq (both based on China's ch-3) use Austrian power plants, not Chinese. That I why the Chinese scientists use Russian engines to test prototype aircraft, and only later use Chinese engines. The j-31 is currently still using a Russian engine.