The Agreement between Great Britain and Sweden relating to the suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt was signed in Stockholm on 8 July 1921, in duplicate, by Colville Barclay and Wrangel, with seals. It did not require an exchange of ratifications; it took effect on signature. UKTS 1921 No. 14, Cmd. 1391. Registered with the League of Nations. It is not the 1937 Montreux Convention, which abolished the Capitulations for the powers as a whole.

The preamble takes into consideration the special situation of Great Britain in Egypt and replaces the regime then in force as regards Swedish subjects. Article 1: so long as Great Britain exercises in Egypt the control necessary to protect foreign interests, Sweden renounces in her favour all the rights and privileges which she holds in Egypt under the Capitulations. As regards representation in the reconstituted mixed Tribunals, to which the jurisdiction of the Consular Courts will be transferred, similar rights shall be assured to Sweden as to the other Powers concerned.

Article 2: from the coming into force of the judicial system in Egypt then proposed, the Swedish Consular Courts will cease to sit, except to dispose of current proceedings. Article 3: Swedish nationals shall enjoy in Egypt, as to public liberties, the administration of justice, private rights (including landed property and mining rights), the professions, and taxes and duties, the same treatment as British nationals. Children born in Egypt of a Swedish father enjoying there the privileges accorded to foreigners shall be entitled to Swedish nationality; they shall not become Egyptian subjects.

Article 4: Consuls-General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls and Consular Agents of Sweden shall enjoy, from the closing of the Consular Courts, the same immunities as in Great Britain, and shall continue their non-judicial functions so far as consistent with the laws of Egypt. Article 5: the treaties in force between Great Britain and Sweden will apply in Egypt, with the exception of the extradition agreement of 26 June 1873 and the Additional Act of 2 July 1897. Import regulations, on condition of reciprocity, shall not be altered unless twelve months’ notice has been given, without limiting modifications applicable to all other countries without distinction.

Article 6: Sweden agrees that, subject only to the unanimous consent of the Powers concerned, all the rights and duties of the International Sanitary, Maritime and Quarantine Council in Egypt are transferred to the Anglo-Egyptian authorities.

Cover: the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, the place of signature; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Agreement Between Great Britain and Sweden Relating to the Suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt (1921); Agreement relating to the Suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt (UKTS 1921 No. 14).