[Spain]: Message for Sweden

[Zak]

PRIVATE AND CLASSIFIED​

Recipient: Ibrahim Baylan, Secretary of Education, Kingdom of Sweden CC: Katarina Gårdfeldt, Director General, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat The Kingdom of Spain recognises Antarctica as territory of the Kingdom of Sweden and I am writing this email to you today to seek cooperation between the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and the Spanish National Research Council. The Spanish National Research Council is the largest public institution dedicated to research in Spain and the third largest in Europe. Its main objective is to develop and promote research that will help bring about scientific and technological progress, we're seeking collaboration with our Swedish counterparts and request that we are allowed to reopen our bases in the coming weeks and months ahead. Spain has previously operated in the following bases and we're seeking to reopen the following bases: Base: Location: Gabriel de Castilla Base Deception Island Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base South Bay, Livingston Island ____________________________________________ Rosa María Menéndez López President of the Spanish National Research Council​

@Connor

 

[Connor]

Government of Sweden
Löfven Administration

Security Classification: TOP SECRET
Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

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Dear Rosa María Menéndez López (President of the Spanish National Research Council),

I, along with the Löfven Administration, distinctly thank you for your recognition of Antarctica as the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Sweden under His Majesty King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf. Under the newly established Department of Antarctic Affairs I will endeavour to ensure that the region is given the necessary and appropriate attention for regional development, prosperity, research and security. With this in mind, we have noticed the undisputed accreditations held by the Spanish National Research Council and would certainly be interested in future cooperation.

I note the locations of your planned bases in Deception Island and Livingston Island. Antarctica is currently untouched and has no man-made structures across the entire continent thus your development would naturally require construction and research costs - has this been factored into your desire to return to the region? I would be interested in permitting Spanish researchers into the region on the condition that they meet Swedish visa requirements in line with the Allemansrett Area agreement and that negotiations are conducted towards the appropriate leasehold of land.

Regards,
Mattias Winblad
Secretary of Antarctic Affairs
Kingdom of Sweden

@Zak

 

[Zak]

PRIVATE AND CLASSIFIED​

Recipient: Mattias Winblad, Secretary of Antarctic Affairs, Kingdom of Sweden Yes, this has been factored into our attempts to return to Antarctica and once the necessary is fully ready has received the required training to deploy to the region, you will be informed of their intentions to deploy to the stated locations above. Our researchers and scientists have been naturally handpicked from some of the best universities across the country and have had the necessary background checks and security clearences to operate within the soon to be Antarctic Division of the Spanish National Research Council - do you have a copy of the Allemansrett Area agreement so that the appropriate measures can be undertaken and we can have all our scientist and researchers files sent to your office. ____________________________________________ Rosa María Menéndez López President of the Spanish National Research Council​

@Connor

 

[Connor]

Government of Sweden
Löfven Administration

Security Classification: TOP SECRET
Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

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Dear Rosa María Menéndez López (President of the Spanish National Research Council),

Attached is the visa application for the Allemannsrett Area; Sweden no longer uses an independent visa system. I have also included an attached copy of the Allemannsrett Area agreement should you wish to refer to it. Please ensure all applications are submitted in a message to the Swedish Immigration and Customs Service for review.

This message has been forwarded onwards to my Under Secretary of Antarctic Affairs for International Affairs, Marion Matsson, who will be in touch with you shortly to arrange the necessary logistical and political challenges related to allow Spanish researchers access to Antarctica.

Attachment #1 - Visa Application (Allemannsrett Area)
Attachment #2 - Allemannsrett Area Agreement

Regards,
Mattias Winblad
Secretary of Antarctic Affairs
Kingdom of Sweden

@Zak