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Israeli FM in Sweden, applauds move to blacklist Iran's IRGC

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has turned a new page in bilateral relations with Sweden, hoping to cooperate on economic opportunities as well as battle antisemitism and the Iranian regime.
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets with Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom in Stockhold, May 15, 2023.

PARIS — On a visit to Stockholm on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen discussed with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom Iranian militant activity in the Middle East and in Europe. 

Their meeting came just five days after the Swedish Parliament called on the European Union to blacklist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

A statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry noted this was a first visit of an Israeli foreign minister to Stockholm in 22 years, marking a new page in bilateral relations. 

The ministry said, bilateral relations, Iran's threat and combatting anti-Semitism were discussed. An Israeli diplomatic source noted that Sweden, currently holding the presidency of the European Union, is central to efforts to change attitudes in Europe toward the Iranian nuclear threats and what Israel sees as Iranian destabilizing activities. 

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