The recent events happening with the Turkish military in Syria have left some European countries at a trade standstill. 

After U.S. troops left the war scene in Syria this week, countries in Europe are standing up and quickly canceling all types of weaponry exports to Turkey. In fact, three Nordic countries — Finland, Sweden, and Norway — have all publicly denounced the actions by Turkey and will cease all trading deals with the Turkish military. 

“All existing permits will be revoked,” stated Carl Johan Wieslander, Acting Director-General of ISP, the National Inspectorate of Strategic Products, to Swedish news agency TT.

A total of two export permits will be revoked by Sweden. According to ISP, none of these permits include weaponry as Sweden’s exports to the Turkish military have been exclusively labeled “other military equipment,” which usually includes electronic equipment, PPE, software and technical assistance. 

According to ISP, the two permits from Sweden concern gunpowder and explosives. 

Finland and Norway have also chosen to abruptly stop all types of exports to Turkey. 

Finland, who have recently approved the export of drones to Turkey, pulled the brakes on exportation, with Finland’s Minister of Defence saying: ”The situation is grave. For my area of responsibility, I can say this: Finland does not export armaments to countries that wage war or violates human rights.”

According to representatives in Sweden, Finland, and Norway, the decision to cut off supplies for Turkey was made after the EU publicly denounced Turkey’s actions. 

“It is a collective assessment made of the current circumstances, with statements made by both the government and the parliament, that we will be standing firmly behind a weapon embargo within the EU’s framework,” says Carl Johan Wieslander.

It seems that a fellow Nordic neighbor will be following suit, as Denmark echos similar plans:

“We must absolutely follow Norway and Sweden’s examples and ensure we immediately stop all weapon sales to Turkey from Denmark and recommend to the EU next week a full European freeze on weapons exports,” Red-Green Alliance foreign spokesperson Eva Flyvholm said.

“Denmark should, like other Nordic countries, stop all export of military equipment. We cannot justify selling weapons to a country which uses them against an ally in the fight against international terrorism,” added political party leader Pia Olsen Dyhr.

“We can’t stop Erdogan’s aggressive behavior alone. So we need other European countries to join us,” she added.

Sources: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-sweden/sweden-to-push-for-eu-weapons-embargo-against-turkey-idUSKBN1WQ1BQ

https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/MRJvEK/sverige-stoppar-krigsmaterielexport-till-turkiet

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/nu-finland-stoppar-all-vapenexport-till-turkiet

Recently, the lack of blood donors is gaining new proportions worldwide. This is why the Swedish Blood Service has introduced an initiative that motivates people to become blood donors, and involve their friends as well.

The essence of the initiative is that when donating blood, the donor receives a text message of gratitude. Later, when his blood is used to save somebody’s life, a message arrives that the blood was used and a thank-you note — roughly translated, the text says  “Thank you, the blood you gave is now benefiting a patient. Regards, Blood Centre.”

“We are constantly trying to develop ways to express [donors’] importance,” Karolina Blom Wiberg, a communications manager at the Stockholm blood service told The Independent.

The Swedish Blood Service reports that this initiative encourages people to donate blood more often, as well as attract new donors to donate blood.

Likewise, the policy has opened up a bigger discussion on social networks, which led to increased awareness about the lack of donors, as well as a new wave of donors who want to donate blood.

“We get a lot of visibility in social media and traditional media thanks to the SMS. But above all we believe it makes our donors come back to us, and donate again,” noted Ms. Wiberg.

This program was first launched in Stockholm three years ago but is currently collecting all the more positive reactions across the country.

“Social media is an extremely important channel for us to reach our donors. Sweden needs more young donors to have a stable blood supply in the future,” says Lottie Furugård, a communications manager at Stockholm’s blood center.

Sweden’s creativity in getting people to donate blood goes beyond social media. For example, a person can agree to receive notifications from the blood center until they have gone in person and donated blood.

One of the notifications is a lighthearted threat – “We will not give up until you bleed.“

Will this initiative increase blood donations? Only time will tell. 

In the meantime, every text message counts – after all, each donation can save up to three lives.

Source: https://www.everplans.com/articles/swedish-blood-donors-get-a-text-message-when-their-blood-saves-a-life