President Barack Obama talks with Foreign Minister Carl Bildt of Sweden during the arrival ceremony at Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport in Sweden, Sept. 4, 2013.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This morning, President Obama arrived in Stockholm for a brief visit ahead of the G-20 meeting that starts tomorrow in St. Petersburg. His trip marks the first-ever bilateral visit by a U.S. President to Sweden.
After an official arrival ceremony at the airport, President Obama and Prime Minister Reinfeldt held a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference.
President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt participate in a joint press conference at Rosenbad in Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 4, 2013.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
“I’ve said before that it’s no accident that democracies are America’s closest partners. And that includes Sweden,” President Obama explained at the start of the press conference. “That’s why I’m here today.”
As free peoples, we recognize that democracy is the most effective form of government ever devised for delivering progress and opportunity and prosperity and freedom to people. And as two of the most innovative economies on Earth, we cherish that freedom that allows us to innovate and create, which is why we’re leaders in science and research and development — those things that pioneers new industries and broaden our horizons.
We share a belief in the dignity and equality of every human being; that our daughters deserve the same opportunities as our sons; that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters must be treated equally under the law; that our societies are strengthened and not weakened by diversity. And we stand up for universal human rights, not only in America and in Europe, but beyond, because we believe that when these rights are respected, nations are more successful and our world is safer and more just.
Fonte: White House