Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on tourists' complaints: It's war

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs understands the frustration of many stranded Swedes - but the situation needs to be put into perspective. I think it is good to remember that there is enormous human suffering in Iran and throughout the region," Svante Liljegren, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Aftonbladet.

Early Sunday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' chartered plane carrying Swedes stranded in Dubai landed at Arlanda.

Several media outlets have reported criticism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' handling of the situation. This concerns a lack of information, delays in acting, and that anyone who wanted to travel on the chartered plane had to pay to get a seat - around 12,000 kronor for an adult and 9,000 for children over two years old.

"I understand that you are frustrated. But I think it is important to remember that there is enormous human suffering in Iran and in the entire region. To then put yourself at the center with that type of complaint - they fade quite quickly if you put it in perspective that it is a war," Svante Liljegren, the Swedish Foreign Ministry's head of consular affairs, told Aftonbladet.

Liljegren also emphasized that an emergency force has been in place, and that the authority regularly sends information to those who have signed up for the Swedish list.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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