An OSCE participating State since June 25, 1973, Sweden is a constitutional monarchy situated between Norway and Finland and is member of the E.U. as well as the Council of Europe. In 1993, Sweden chaired the OSCE, and has periodically had its elections observed by the OSCE/ODIHR. 

Several OSCE and OSCE PA events attended by Commissioners have taken place in Sweden, and Swedish officials have appeared before the Helsinki Commission on several occasions. In 2008, the Swedish Mayor of Sodertalje appeared before the Commission to speak about Iraqi refugees; a Swedish official also appeared before the Commission in 2009 on behalf of the European Union to discuss the Western Balkans; and the Swedish Vice Chair of the European Network Against Racism appeared before the Commission in 2013 to speak about people of African Descent/Black Europeans. 

In 2015, Commissioner Senator Ben Cardin also hosted an event with the Swedish Minister of Culture and Democracy, Alice Bah Kuhnke. Sweden has had an increased OSCE and Commission domestic focus in recent years as a result of issues related to the economic downturn and migration.