Skr. 2016/17:213 actions of states in the cyber area are having increasingly wider and more comprehensive repercussions in foreign and security policy. Globally, there are tensions between states regarding the management of cyber security aspects. One main area of tension concerns the view of the role of states and their right to monitor, limit and control both infrastructure and information flows. Today, cyber security issues are treated from different perspectives in a large number of international organisations and formats, e.g. the UN, EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, OECD, NATO, the Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and in several specialised international organisations and processes (e.g. ICANN, IETF, ITU and IGF), which treat questions of the operation, control and administration of the internet. In addition to this, there are initiatives and processes of significance to the international discussion on rules and standards, such as the “London Process”, Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) and the Swedish initiative Stockholm Internet Forum (SIF). The Government stresses the importance of further developing Sweden’s capability to act consistently and effectively in international processes. This requires a better overview, where Sweden’s long-term interests can be safeguarded in the context of a large number of processes encompassing political, legal and technical aspects. It also requires better coordination and dialogue between relevant stakeholders nationally. Freedom and security The Government’s goal for the development of the internet is a global, accessible, open and robust internet characterised by freedom and respect for human rights. The credible and effective promotion of the freedom aspect requires a developed international cooperation to manage the security challenges. External developments, including those in Sweden’s surrounding region, underline this need. Adequate security measures will continue to be needed with reference to national security or for combating cybercrime. At the same time, there is a risk that the desire to control information flows will gain the upper hand in the actions of many states. Tendencies towards the fragmentation and restriction of the internet go against Sweden’s fundamental values and long-term economic and security-policy interests. The Government maintains that such a development must be addressed by means of developed international cooperation. There are also fundamental tensions between states in their view of the roles and responsibilities of non-state actors. The Government wants to counteract a state-led administration of the internet and stresses the central roles and responsibilities of non-state actors for a free and secure internet, where the private sector and civil society can assert their legitimate interests. It is clear that both vulnerabilities and security measures concern and involve the private sector and civil society as a whole. Cooperation and dialogue with non-state actors thus need to continue being developed at the international level. International law and international standards Within the UN, there is consensus in principle that international law is applicable in cyberspace, but that there are significant difficulties and challenges in ensuring that the rules are interpreted in unison. Against this background, international discussions are being held on the interpretation and application of international law in cyberspace and on the possibility to establish voluntary international standards and confidence-building measures for the responsible behaviour of states. There is also discussion in this context on the possibility of using international regulations, standards and agreements to verify, designate and demand accountability. The Government stresses the importance of Sweden taking an active role in these discussions and processes, with the aim of preventing conflicts and supporting international consensus on standards for the responsible behaviour of states. 25