Several European countries have laid out evacuation plans for their citizens from the Middle East and requested help from the EU, but Sweden has not, which is now being criticized by the opposition. The Swedish government currently has no plan to evacuate Swedes, a position Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard reiterated. Sweden has also not requested help from the EU through the union's civil protection mechanism, something opposition parties are questioning.
Social Democrats are demanding that Sweden activate the mechanism, which could involve EU-led coordination to bring Europeans home from the Middle East. EU parliamentarian Johan Danielsson (S) said that when flights are grounded, the EU must step forward, and criticized the government for being passive. In response to criticism, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden has sent a crisis team to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
when flights are grounded, the EU must step forward
The team also aims to reach Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to coordinate regular air transport when it resumes and help people get out by land, which Kristersson described as both dangerous and difficult. The team reportedly consists of three consular officials. Hundreds of thousands of Europeans, including an estimated more than 4,000 Swedes, are stranded in the Middle East after large parts of the airspace were closed.
Countries like France, Germany, and the UK have taken measures, with France evacuating about a hundred French citizens from Dubai and planning more evacuation flights. Germany is reportedly considering using state-owned or military transport if needed, and the UK has chartered a commercial flight from Oman. Other EU countries such as Italy, Slovakia, Romania, and Austria have activated the EU's civil protection mechanism, according to reports.
The team also aims to reach Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to coordinate regular air transport when it resumes and help people get out by land, which Kristersson described as both dangerous and difficult
Norway is also sending an emergency team to Dubai to help Norwegian citizens. The EU Commission decided to increase support and help coordinate between airlines, shipping companies, and national authorities.