Visit of Mr Björn von Sydow to Tartu on 28-29 August

Mr Björn von Sydow, former Minister of Defence of Sweden in 1997-2002 and Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Rikstag in 2002-2006, visited Tartu on 28-29 August.

The first day of the two days visit was dedicated to the Baltic Defence College. Mr von Sydow had a meeting with the students of HCSC and AICSC and the BALTDEFCOL staff members in the fourth-floor lecture hall bearing his name.

This was followed by a meeting at the Commandant’s Office where the Commandant gave the guest a briefing about the Baltic Defence College, its courses and future challenges. The topic of future co-operation was also touched upon.

Mr von Sydow´s program continued with a meeting in the Tartu University, where he was welcomed by the Vice Rector for Research Mr Kristjan Haller.

On 29 August, on the second day of the visit, Mr von Sydow had an official visit to the Tartu University Library, to the institution with what he has had long-lasting beneficial co-operation. The main aim of the visit was to make a book present to the book collection of the Library. The program also included a meeting with the leadership of the Library, tour of the Library building and briefing on the collection of manuscripts and rare books.

Mr von Sydow has played a significant role in the development of the Baltic Defence College. Mr von Sydow, being the Minister of Defence of Sweden and the representative of Sweden as the Supporting Lead Nation of BALTDEFCOL Project during the establishment of the College, signed the first Memorandum of Understanding of the Baltic Defence College in 12th of June 1998 in Brussels.

On 31 August 1998 Mr von Sydow honored the College with his participation in the College’s first seminar “The Role of Defence Structures in Foreign Countries”. 16 October 2001 marks a noteworthy day in the history of the College as it was the day when Mr von Sydow opened the new study areas and the lecture hall bearing his name on the fourth floor.

Since 2002 Mr von Sydow is the Member of the Swedish Parliament,Rikstag, representing the Social Democratic Party. In Rikstag he is the Second Vice-Chairperson of Political Affairs Committee, and Member of the Sub-Committee on External Relations.