Fördjupat och utvidgat strategiskt innovationspartnerskap mellan Sverige och Tyskland

Joint Declaration of Intent on a

Strategic Innovation Partnership for security, green and digital transition

between

the Federal Republic of Germany

and

the Kingdom of Sweden

The Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Sweden share historical and longstanding ties of friendship, embodied in their vision for the future of the European Union (EU), their commitment to promoting and strengthening the security of the Euro- Atlantic area, including through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and their common attachment to the rules-based international order, the purposes, rules, and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and effective multilateralism.

In 2017, Sweden and Germany embarked on an innovation partnership which was renewed in 2019 and expanded in 2024 with security, defence and space as new focus areas. A fundamentally worsened security situation in Europe, and their new relationship as Allies in NATO provided a rationale for a deepening and a broadening of the cooperation, building on existing cooperation and lessons learned.

Today, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine as well as the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea region and beyond call for even stronger alignment between Sweden and Germany. By further strengthening the bilateral cooperation, including as Baltic Sea states, the two countries are better placed to meet the often complex and multifaceted challenges that they face. In addition to cooperation on security and defence and related areas like space, defence innovation and new technologies, a strengthened coordination is needed on foreign and security policy, hybrid threats, international development cooperation and migration. A deepened partnership will confirm Germany’s and Sweden’s long-term determination to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression, including its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. While working together to seize new innovative and technological opportunities, Germany and Sweden as NATO Allies are determined to strengthen both their national security and that of the Euro-Atlantic region. Furthermore, Germany and Sweden will continue cooperation to strengthen national resilience and security and defence capabilities aiming at reducing vulnerabilities in strategic sectors and critical infrastructures.

The Swedish German strategic partnership aims at promoting competitiveness and innovative solutions to societal challenges, such as the digital and green transition. A renewed partnership also aims to promote the effectiveness of capital markets. Germany and Sweden are taking the lead within the EU when it comes to investments in research and development,

1 (8)

and they share a common culture of competitiveness, innovation and technology at the service of fair and sustainable development, supported by cutting-edge universities and research institutions, world-leading companies, dynamic start-up ecosystems, and a resolute emphasis on the importance of initial and lifelong learning as well as gender equality.

The partnership between Germany and Sweden is based on concrete cooperation and joint projects with designated actors. It strengthens the already close relations between the two countries in key sectors and further develops sectors of importance for security and defence. The partnership will be the subject of regular reviews conducted at high level meetings between the respective ministries in charge. The partnership is not intended to and does not create any legally binding rights or obligations.

1. Foreign policy, security & defence

The deteriorated security situation in our neighborhood requires further strengthening of the close cooperation and regular dialogue between Germany and Sweden bilaterally, within Nordic-German formats, and within the EU and NATO, on foreign and security policy. This dialogue should, inter alia, include deterrence and defence, the security situation in the Baltic Sea region and beyond, including cooperation on the North Atlantic, the High North, and the Arctic. Germany and Sweden will work together to counter threats from Russia and in ensuring continued support for Ukraine. Furthermore, Sweden and Germany remain convinced that increased efforts are needed to strengthen defence capabilities, civilian preparedness and the resilience of their democratic societies.

This should include the ability to prevent and counter a multitude of threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference, cyber threats, supply chain attacks and other hybrid threats as well as physical threats and sabotage. On 5 March 2024, the Ministers for Defence of Germany and Sweden signed a Letter of Intent concerning bilateral defence cooperation, declaring their intention to deepen and increase practical cooperation in areas such as promoting cooperation in the field of innovation and technology; promoting strategic dialogue on security and defence issues; harnessing defence research and development (R&D), defence capability development and armament cooperation opportunities, and procurement of defence related materiel in addition to industrial cooperation.

Building on this Letter of Intent, on 18 November 2025 in Berlin, the Ministers for Defence of Sweden and Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning bilateral defence cooperation with the aim of enhancing all aspects of defence cooperation. As two nations with strong defence industrial bases, Sweden and Germany will seek to leverage opportunities for cooperation, which will also contribute to the strengthening of their national defence and resilience, as well as Europe’s defence industrial base and its global competitiveness.

2 (8)

In the area of capability development including R&D, Sweden and Germany will seek to promote and develop cooperation on innovation and technology development in important areas such as the air and space domain, the underwater domain, armed vehicles, sensors, cyber defence and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances (CBRN). This is supported by the Memorandum of Understanding between Germany and Sweden on collaboration in Defence Research and Technology, and by the Memorandum of Understanding concerning bilateral defence cooperation signed on 18 November 2025 in Berlin.

In light of the growing assertiveness of strategic competitors and the increasing complexity of security threats, ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure is an important element of the strategic partnership and cooperation between the two countries. Thus, Sweden and Germany will seek to promote and develop cooperation on innovation and technology development, considering transparency, redundancy, security, sustainability and safety.

The bilateral cooperation in the area of foreign policy, security and defence will be coordinated by the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of Sweden, supported by relevant stakeholders.

2. Space

Sweden and Germany will continue to cooperate on enhancing Europe’s strategic role and interests in space. The two countries will promote and develop bilateral and international cooperation within the space sector, which constitutes an increasingly important area for innovation, research, and sustainable development and in particular space safety. The innovation partnership will strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries, against the backdrop of new opportunities in the space domain, a sector evolving rapidly and constituting an important foundation for future economic growth and security.

The collaboration will contribute to ensuring that Europe's space capability remains competitive on a global scale. Special focus will be placed on sounding rocket activities and access to space, such as launches of sounding rockets from the Swedish space base Esrange Space Center, as well as the development of experiment modules for research in microgravity. Sweden and Germany will also continue cooperation within educational programs in the space domain, stratospheric balloons, tracking stations and space situational awareness. The collaboration may also include engine tests for launch vehicles, test launches and satellite launches from Esrange.

The bilateral cooperation in the area of space will be coordinated by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Swedish Ministry of Education and Research and the Swedish National Space Agency.

3 (8)

3. Capital markets

Well-functioning capital markets are key components in financing innovation, ultimately fostering growth and a more competitive Europe. Sweden and Germany will deepen cooperation in this field, through bilateral exchange and by cooperating in further advancing the European Savings and Investments Union.

Capital markets can be made both inclusive and growth-oriented, generating returns while fueling innovation. Many innovative start-up and scale-up companies that want to invest and grow in Europe face difficulties obtaining the financing they need and, in some cases, seek funding or relocate abroad. It is therefore key to create an environment in Europe in which innovative companies can grow into global champions. We need to advance the Savings and Investments Union in order to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and foster employment. Companies should be able to “start-up and scale-up” in Europe. The pool of investable capital, including risk and venture capital, needs to be increased to make Europe a more attractive home for these companies. Removing obstacles to cross-border financing within Europe should be a priority.

Likewise, it is important to strengthen instruments to increase capital market participation of private households, e.g. private pension schemes or Savings and Investment Accounts. To build trust in capital markets, and in the financial system as a whole, initiatives should be designed in the interest of investors, and provide conditions to tackle risks such as payment and investment fraud.

The bilateral cooperation in the field of capital markets will be coordinated by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Swedish Ministry of Finance.

4. International development cooperation

Sweden and Germany will collaborate to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of international development cooperation, with an aim to ensure continued progress in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the Agenda 2030 amidst geopolitical challenges and opportunities. Priority areas for collaboration include innovative financing, mobilization of private capital, capacity-building for domestic resource mobilization, and leveraging synergies between trade and development cooperation to foster win-win relationships with partner countries. We will also cooperate on strengthening multilateral development institutions and corresponding reform processes in the OECD Development Assistance Committee as well as the UN80 initiative.

4 (8)

Next to close bilateral cooperation and coordination between Sweden and Germany, the two countries will also closely coordinate on shaping the EU’s development cooperation in line with the above.

This area will be coordinated by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

5. Migration

Sweden and Germany will strengthen their exchange and cooperation on migration, including efforts to curb irregular migration and enhance possibilities for effective return and innovative solutions. This should take place in all relevant formats, including in informal formats e.g. the Like-Minded Group on Innovative Solutions and the so-called Zugspitzeformat.

This area will be coordinated by the Swedish Ministry of Justice and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior.

6. Energy transition and mobility

Sustainable transport Focus on sustainable transport solutions needs European consensus spearheaded by Germany and Sweden. Sweden and Germany will continue to develop the work around electric transport solutions. This will include exchange of experiences of coordination and strategies for expansion of charging infrastructure. To optimize transport solutions increased and efficient connectivity solutions will be crucial.

Batteries Battery technologies are key enablers in energy transition both for transport and energy supply solutions. Sweden and Germany are interested to further expand bilateral work, targeting a sustainable battery value chain and talent attraction, as well as boosting necessary technical infrastructure and safety. Regarding the scope and subject of the intended collaborations the coordination will be carried out by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and/or the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise and supported by the Swedish Energy Agency. In bilateral dialogues possible frameworks, scopes and topics were presented and discussed. Next, a meeting in Sweden on innovation partnerships and follow-up discussions can be exploited to plan next steps and firm up scope and subject of the collaboration

5 (8)

7. AI and digitalization

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world. Germany and Sweden will continue extending the partnership to new research areas and applications. The aim of the partnership is to deepen the long-standing cooperation of different research institutions and universities, and further develop a network to exchange knowledge and encourage new areas of research and applications between Germany and Sweden. Key Swedish stakeholders, such as universities, should be encouraged to initiate further collaboration with German counterparts, such as the universities and research institutes organized under the six German AI competence centres including the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

Both countries will cooperate with initiatives that foster the building of a strong European AI ecosystem. Research collaboration to promote the broader application of AI will be encouraged. Opportunities to address the skills shortage within the area of AI will be pursued.

Sweden and Germany will foster intensified cooperation in research, development, standardization and facilitation as well as an exchange of best practices in the realm of cyber security and resilience for future mobile network technologies such as 6G, considering especially security, trust, and reliability.

Bilateral contacts will be strengthened and utilized to build competence among the public and businesses, training specialists, and to create networks between cybersecurity experts and the business sector.

Health is a primary example of deepened cooperation, including initiatives which focus on access to health data for the development of AI applications, such as the European Health Data Space, supported by actions such as the 1+ Million Genomes Initiative, the European Cancer Imaging Initiative, and initiatives fostering trustworthy AI and support for startups and scaleups such as the Testing and Experimentation Facility for Health AI and Robotics (TEF Health).

This area will be coordinated by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization and regarding health by the German Federal Ministry of Health, and by the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, together with the Swedish Ministry of Finance.

eHealth The evolution of digital solutions shapes the provision of healthcare. The knowledge exchange will continue to focus on the development and implementation of national digital health strategies, digital infrastructure and interoperability concerning the sharing of health data, mobile digital applications as well as telemedicine solutions, such as 'care at a distance' or remote expert consultations, monitoring and medical education.

6 (8)

The ambition within the partnership is to continue developing an updated agenda for further cooperation on eHealth between the German and Swedish ministries, agencies, and other relevant actors, with special emphasis on AI applications. The agenda will outline a structure with areas and activities which will be the basis of cooperation. It will contain cooperation initiatives with businesses and start-ups as well as strategic policy exchange elements.

This area will continue to be coordinated by the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and the Swedish eHealth Agency on the Swedish side and the German Federal Ministry of Health on the German side. The bilateral exchange should be aligned with existing German and Swedish activities at EU level and within the European eHealth Network, as well as develop new activities in preparing for, adapting to and implementing the European Health Data Space Regulation.

8. Innovation enablers

Innovation policy and ecosystems The ambition of the partnership is to enable joint R&D projects for startups, scaleups and other small and medium-sized Swedish and German enterprises, leveraging EU funding instruments such as Eurostars. Also, the successful partnership of Sweden’s Innovation agency Vinnova and the German Central Innovation Programme for Small and Medium- Sized Enterprises (ZIM) will deliver strong contributions for strengthening market-oriented innovation.

Looking ahead, Germany and Sweden will explore the potential for collaboration between cluster networks, incubators, innovation offices, and other actors in order to further develop their respective innovation ecosystems. This effort will encompass sharing of best practices regarding innovation policy and foster mutual learning.

Sweden and Germany recognize the importance of enabling environments and robust institutional capacities to support transformative innovation. Building on this foundation, both countries emphasize the need for innovation to address complex societal challenges and unlock new technological frontiers. Through enhanced collaboration between Vinnova and SPRIN-D, the partnership aims to reinforce institutional capabilities, foster bold experimentation, and support the development of breakthrough solutions with long-term impact.

The innovation policy and ecosystem-development part of this section will continue to be coordinated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, supported by Sweden’s Innovation Agency, Vinnova.

7 (8)

This Joint Declaration of Intent may be amended at any time by mutual written consent of both sides. This Joint Declaration of Intent is not intended to and does not create any legally binding rights or obligations. Signed in Berlin on 19 November 2025 in two copies.

For the Kingdom of Sweden For the Federal Republic of Germany

Ulf Kristersson Friedrich Merz Prime Minister Chancellor

8 (8)