The new minister with responsibility for Nordic affairs is 49-years old and trained as a dentist. She has previous experience with local politics and has been a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and deputy member of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the Constitution and the Committee on Education.

In the role as Trade Minister Björling is responsible for:

• Trade policy - matters relating to foreign trade, international trade negotiations and the EU's internal market.
• Promotion of trade, investment and Sweden - promotion of exports, imports and foreign investment in Sweden, as well as creating a strong image of Sweden abroad.
• The EU's internal market - the main work with the EU's internal market aims for the free trade, freedom of movement for goods and services, competitiveness and improved legislation in the interests of corporations and consumers.

The ministers for co-operation have the mandate from the Nordic prime ministers for co-ordinating Nordic inter-governmental co-operation. Björling's Nordic colleagues are Karen Ellemann, Denmark, Jan Vapaavuori, Finland, Rigmor Aasrud, Norway, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Iceland, Palle Christiansen, Greenland, Jørgen Niclasen, the Faroe Islands and Veronica Thörnroos, Åland.

Ewa Björling takes over from Cristina Husmark Pehrsson. 

Ewa Björling's CV

Interview in Swedish (www.regeringen.se)