Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid a state visit to the Kingdom of Sweden from 7 to 9 September.
In the country’s capital Stockholm, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender were received with military honours in the Royal Palace by the King and Queen. The Federal President then had talks with the Swedish Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament as well as the Mayor of Stockholm. He also addressed the Swedish Parliament.
The focus of the other engagements was on the technologies of the future, for example the opening of Europe’s tallest timber building and talks with representatives of industry and science on hydrogen and battery technology.
From Stockholm, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Kiruna in the north of the country. There their visits to, among others, the Esrange Space Center and the LKAB iron ore mining company, centered on aerospace and structural change. The aim of the state visit was to celebrate the close and diverse relations between Germany and Sweden.
President Steinmeier visited Sweden at the invitation of the King and Queen of Sweden, who had last paid a state visit to Germany in October 2016.
Overview of the programme:
Tuesday, 7 September 2021
- Arrival in Stockholm
- Royal Stables
Welcome by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, carriage ride together to the Royal Palace - Welcome with military honours
- Joint press conference
- Luncheon hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
- German Church of St. Gertrude’s
Joint visit to the church - Riksdag (Parliament House)
Tour and talks with Riksdag representatives - Speech by the Federal President to the Riksdag
- Prime Minister’s Office
Talks with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven - Royal Palace
Dinner hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden in honour of the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender
Wednesday, 8 September 2021
- Drottningholm Palace
Joint visit to the Palace and Theatre - Scania Demo Centre, Södertälje
Joint visit to the Scania test and demo centre - Stockholm City Hall
Luncheon hosted by Cecilia Brinck, President of Stockholm City Council, and Anna König Jerlmyr, Mayor of Stockholm - Karolinska University Hospital
Visit to the Karolinska University Hospital - ArkDes, national centre for architecture and design
Virtual opening of the Sara Cultural Centre in Skellefteå - Royal College of Music
Reception hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender in honour of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
Thursday, 9 September 2021
- Flight to Kiruna
- Arrival in Kiruna
- Esrange Space Centre
Joint visit to the balloon and rocket launch areas - Kiruna New Town Hall
Luncheon hosted by Lotta Finstorp, Norrbotten County Governor - LKAB iron ore mine
Visit to the iron ore mine - Flight to Berlin