Sweden’s national security advisor, Niclas Kvarnström, has confirmed that he left a personal notebook behind following a high-level summit in Ankara, Turkey, last week. The Swedish government is now coordinating with NATO officials to recover the document, according to reports from SVT Nyheter.
The Ankara Security Breach and Recovery Efforts
The incident occurred during a diplomatic summit focused on the strategic relationship between Sweden, Turkey, and the NATO alliance. Kvarnström, who assumed his role as national security advisor on July 28, 2025, was in attendance alongside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister of Defence Pål Jonson. The group met with Akif Cagatay Kilic, the security advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kvarnström left the notebook in a meeting room within the Turkish capital, a facility where NATO maintains security responsibility. “It is correct that in connection with the NATO summit in Ankara, I left a notebook in a NATO meeting room,” Kvarnström told SVT Nyheter. “It contained my notes.”
Did you know?
The position of Swedish national security advisor was established in 2022. Niclas Kvarnström is the third individual to hold the post, tasked with assisting the National Security Council and the Prime Minister on foreign, security, and national security policy.
Classification Status and Security Assessment
Despite the sensitive nature of the summit, Swedish officials have determined that no formal damage assessment is required. Kvarnström stated that the notebook did not contain classified information. “Based on my information and my assessment of the content, the official organization in the Government Offices has concluded that there is no need to conduct a damage assessment in accordance with the authority’s security regulations,” he said.
The Swedish Government Offices confirmed to SVT Nyheter that they are in active dialogue with NATO to locate and retrieve the materials. While the recovery process is ongoing, Kvarnström emphasized that NATO possesses standard protocols for handling materials left behind in secure zones.
Contextualizing High-Level Diplomatic Security
During the same summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte faced public questioning from a Danish journalist regarding his interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting the intense pressure surrounding the alliance’s current geopolitical navigation.
Kvarnström brings significant experience to his role, having previously served as Sweden’s ambassador to Singapore and Brunei. His background also includes tenure at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ unit for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as various leadership positions within the United Nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Was the lost notebook classified? No. According to Niclas Kvarnström, the notes were personal and did not contain classified information.
- Why is the Swedish government involved? The government is coordinating with NATO to ensure the return of the property, as the meeting took place in a secure NATO-managed facility.
- Has a security investigation been launched? No. Swedish authorities concluded that a formal damage assessment is unnecessary based on the nature of the notes.
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