The State Secretariat makes the mistake of confusing Sweden and Switzerland
An unexpected event, to say the least, occurred recently, when the Secretary of State confused the Suede and Switzerland in a map published on the Internet. This incident sparked a series of amused but also outraged reactions on the web.
A funny diplomatic incident
It was our Swiss neighbors who first spotted this confusion. A diplomatic error which was quickly shared on social networks. Internet users did not hesitate to mock this mistake. Others, on the other hand, saw it as an unacceptable mark of contempt and ignorance on the part of an institution of this level.
The explanation from the Secretary of State
Faced with this blunder, the Secretary of State tried to be humorous. He explained that he had confused the Suede with Switzerland because the two countries are both neutral, peaceful and popular with tourists. An excuse which, however, did not convince everyone. So, simple coincidence or lack of geographical knowledge?
Rectification of the error
After learning of this blunder, the Secretary of State quickly rectified the situation by publishing a new map. This, this time showing the correct location of the Suede and Switzerland, was accompanied by a message of apology addressed to the two countries concerned. Diplomacy also means knowing how to recognize your mistakes.
In conclusion
This confusion between the Suede and Switzerland reminds us of the importance of a good knowledge of geography, even in diplomacy. It is also a wake-up call for communications services, which must be more vigilant when publishing official documents. Let us remember that to err is human, but that it can sometimes be costly in terms of image and international relations.
