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10 October 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Positive progress report on Iceland

The European Commission today published a progress report on the status in Iceland‘s accession negotiations with the European Union. The main conclusions are positve, stating that Iceland´s accession is matter of mutual benefit to the EU and Iceland

09 October 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Preparation of international agreement on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response

This week around 70 representatives from the Arctic states will gather in Reykjavík for negotiations on a legally binding agreement on mutual assistance in the case of a marine oil spills in the Arctic

04 October 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Chief Negotiator of Montenegro meets with Foreign Minister

Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met today with Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic, Chief Negotiator of Montenegro

01 October 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister Skarphéðinsson addresses the UN General Assembly

Össur Skarphéðinsson, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, called for reform of the United Nations Security Council in his address to the UN General Assembly this weekend

28 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Statement in the EFTA Standing Committee and the EEA Joint Committee

Iceland notes that any trade measures, beyond refusing landings by fishing vessels of fish from a fish stock of common interest over the management of which there is serious disagreement, would be a breach of the EEA-agreement.

28 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Commissioner Hahn discusses regional policy in Iceland

Hahn is meeting with ministers and Iceland‘s Chief Negotiatior before he visits Egilsstadir and Husavik in Northeast-Iceland.

18 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The EFTA court hears oral arguments in the Icesave case

Today the EFTA Court in Luxembourg heard oral arguments in the so-called Icesave case,  brought before the Court by the EFTA Surveillance Authority claiming that Iceland had breached its obligations according to the EEA Deposit Guarantee Directive.

17 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister of Cyprus meets with Minister Skarphéðinsson

The Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, is on an official visit to Iceland today.  Cyprus currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

14 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister of Denmark visits Iceland

Iceland‘s Foreign Minister, Össur Skarphéðinsson, met today with Villy Søvndal, Foreign Minister of Denmark, who is on an official visit to Iceland.

10 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Arctic Council SAR agreement implemented in a live exercise

<img src="/media/utanrikisraduneyti-media/media/nordurslodir/small/SAREX2012.jpg" alt="SAREX2012" title="SAREX_2012"> The exercise in and around the coast of East Greenland is a part of the Arctic Council agreement  on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic.

07 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister calls for greater political cooperation between the Arctic states

Minister for Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson gave the opening address at a three day Conference of Arctic Parliamentarians (CPAR) in Akureyri on Wednesday. In his speech the minister called for greater political cooperation and concrete partnership amongst the Arctic states, e.g. on environmental issues and in the field of search and rescue.

04 September 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Foreign Minister meets with US Senator Murkowski

The Minister for Foreign Affairs met today with US Senator Ms. Lisa Murkowski from the State of Alaska. They discussed Arctic Affairs, renewable energy and issues pertaining to civilian and environmental security in the Arctic region. Iceland is looking towards strengthening its cooperation with the United States and in particular with  the State of Alaska on these issues.

17 July 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland Supports Stronger International Response to the Syrian Crisis

The Government of Iceland fully supports efforts to strengthen the international response to the Syrian crisis.

22 June 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Three chapters opened

Negotiations on three chapters were launched this morning in Iceland's accession talks with the European Union in an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in Brussels. The chapters opened are on Transport Policy, Social Policy and Employment and Financial Control. Further talks will now commence.…

21 June 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Permanent Secretary of State meets with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

On June 20, Mr. Einar Gunnarsson, Permanent Secretary of State, met with the Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Pavlo Klimkin. During the meeting they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, trade cooperation and international affairs, including the United Nations, NATO and the OSCE, with particular focus on Ukraine´s chairmanship of the OSCE in 2013.

21 June 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Government of Iceland replies to the Statement in Intervention of the European Commission in the Icesave case

The Government of Iceland has submitted its Reply to the Statement in Intervention of the European Commission in the Icesave case to the EFTA Court. This marks the end of the written part of the proceedings in this case. An oral hearing is scheduled to be held in Luxembourg on Tuesday 18 September 2012.

02 June 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister strongly condemns atrocities in Syria

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson, strongly condemns atrocities committed by Syrian authorities as well as armed militias linked to the Syrian Government. There is little doubt these actors have planned and committed systematic violations of human rights in the past few weeks and months.…

16 May 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Norway and Liechtenstein support Iceland in the Icesave-case

Yesterday, the time-limit for third parties to submit written observations in the Icesave-case expired. Norway and Liechtenstein essentially support Iceland´s argument that the Deposit Guarantee Directive does not impose upon the State to provide financial contributions in the event that the funds of a deposit guarantee scheme prove insufficient to compensate investors.

11 May 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Goverment of Iceland responds to the Reply to its Defence in the Icesave case

Today, Iceland served the EFTA Court with its Rejoinder in the Icesave case. In the Rejoinder Iceland responds to the arguments put foward by the EFTA Surveillance Authority in its Reply to Iceland´s Statement of Defence, submitted to the Court in early March. This completes the 2nd round of the written procedure of this case.

04 May 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Important issues discussed at the Nordic Foreign Ministers' meeting in Stavanger on 4 May 2012

Nordic cooperation is developing rapidly. When the Nordic Foreign Ministers came together in Stavanger on 4 May, they discussed ways of strengthening Nordic cooperation and a number of important international issues.  One of the platforms for deepening cooperation on foreign and security policy is the 2009 Stoltenberg Report, which outlines specific proposals for closer cooperation in 13…

02 May 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland expresses concerns over proposed EU regulation on trade measures

At the meeting of the EEA Joint Committee on Monday 30 April Iceland presented a statement on the Commission proposal for a "Regulation on certain measures in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing for the purpose of the conservation of fish stock".  In its statement Iceland expressed grave concern that certain measures envisaged by the EU would put the EU in breach of its…

30 April 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister presents annual report on foreign affairs

On 26th April, Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, presented his annual report on foreign affairs to the Icelandic Parliament.

20 April 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Free trade talks discussed with Chinese Minstry of Commerce

This morning, Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, responsible for international trade. The Minister is part of a delegation led by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, which arrived today in Iceland on an official visit.

13 April 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Icelandic Government observations on the European Commission's request to intervene in the Icesave case

The Government of Iceland has today submitted its observations on the application for leave to intervene in the Icesave case, lodged with the EFTA Court by the European Commission. The observations are based on the advice of Lead Counsel, Tim Ward QC, and the case team assisting him.

02 April 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Medium Term Debt Management Strategy 2012-2015

The Icelandic Ministry of Finance has presented the Treasury‘s Medium Term Debt Management Strategy for 2012-2015.

20 March 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Amendments to the Icelandic capital controls legislation on 13 March 2012

The Parliament has approved two amendments to the capital controls regime in an attempt to halt increasing circumvention through the bond market and possible negative effects of large capital flows originating from the winding-up process of the failed Icelandic banks.

15 March 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

A workshop on cooperation in geothermal issues

Representatives of government and industry from Iceland, Japan and the European Union, met in Brussels last week for a workshop on cooperation in geothermal issues. The workshop was held in the premises of the European Economic and Social Committee.

10 March 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Defence of the Government of Iceland in the Icesave case

The Government of Iceland has lodged with the EFTA Court its statement of defence in the Icesave case. The statement is submitted in response to the application lodged by the EFTA Surveillance Authority and forms the basis of Iceland’s defence.

09 March 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Increased cooperation on Arctic affairs between Iceland and France

France and Iceland have agreed to reinforce their cooperation on arctic matters. This was discussed at a meeting today in Paris between Össur Skarphédinsson, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Alain Juppé, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of France.

06 March 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson met with Danish Minister for European Affairs

Icelandic Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson, met yesterday with Nicolai Wammen, Denmark's Minister for European Affairs.

27 February 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

First meeting of the consultative group for Iceland‘s accession negotiations

The consultative group for Iceland‘s accession negotiations with the European Union held its first meeting at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Friday the 24th of February. The chairperson of the group is Salvör Nordal, philosopher and director of the Centre for Ethics at the University of Iceland.

24 February 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries at the Friends of Syria conference in Tunis, 24th of February 2012

The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Villy Søvndal, today delivered a statement on behalf of the five Nordic countries and the three Baltic states at the “Friends of Syria” conference held in Tunis to discuss the deteriorating situation in Syria.

03 February 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

A meeting of the Hoyvik Council in Reykjavik

At the annual meeting of the Hoyvik Council, held in Reykjavík yesterday, Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson  and Kaj Leo Johannesen, Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands, discussed increased trade between Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

27 January 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Cyprus supports Iceland's application

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson met with Ms. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, during his official visit to Cyprus. Ms. Kozakou-Marcoullis pledged full support of Iceland's application for EU membership during Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

19 January 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister's official visit to Romania

Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson, met with the Romanian Foreign Minister, the speaker of the Romanian Parliament and the Minister of European Affairs, during his official visit to Romania. At the meetings, Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson discussed the use of funds from the EFTA Development Fund to commence geothermal projects in Romania.

18 January 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Ambassador Gudmundur Árni Stefánsson presented today the Letters of Credence to President Obama

Ambassador Gudmundur Árni Stefánsson presented today to the Honorable Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America, the Letters of Credence accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iceland to the United States of America at the Oval Office.

11 January 2012Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Tim Ward QC Instructed in the Icesave Case

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson today announced his decision to instruct Tim Ward QC as lead counsel in the infringement proceedings brought to the EFTA Court by the EFTA Surveillance Authority concerning minimum deposit guarantees on the Icesave accounts.

31 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Cabinet reshuffle

A new Cabinet was unveiled in Iceland on 31 December. During the reshuffle former finance minister Mr Steingrímur J. Sigfússon was named Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture as well as Minister of Economic Affairs. Mrs Oddný G. Harðardóttir was promoted into Cabinet as  Minister of Finance.

15 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland Recognizes Palestine

Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, and Dr. Riad Malki, the Foreign Minister of Palestine, today formally confirmed the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Iceland and Palestine. The Icelandic Foreign Minister presented to Dr.…

14 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign minister meets with Palestinian counterpart Dr. Riad Malki

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson, met today with Dr. Riad Malki, the Palestinian Foreign Minister. At the meeting the ministers discussed relations between Iceland and Palestine and ways to restart the Middle East peace process.

12 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Iceland

Dr. Riad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine, will visit Iceland on 14-16 December 2011 on the invitation of Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson. During the visit Foreign Minister Malki will meet with Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, as well as Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson.

12 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Quarter of the chapters closed in Iceland's Accession negotiations with the EU

The third meeting of the Accession Conference between Iceland and the EU at Ministerial level took place earlier today in Brussels. The Icelandic delegation was led by Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson. Discussions took place on five chapters of the accession negotiations, four of which were provisionally closed.

09 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Icelandic and Chinese leaders hail 40 years of diplomatic relations

The presidents of Iceland and China and the foreign Ministers of both countries exchanged congratulatory messages Thursday, December 8, to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

08 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

18th OSCE Ministerial Council held in Vilnius

The 18th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) was held in Vilnius, Lithuania on 6-7 December 2011. The Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Member States agreed to strengthen the cooperation with Afghanistan and other OSCE Partner countries, including those in North Africa.

08 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Cooperation with the Icelandic Red Cross

The 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent was held between 28 November and 1 December 2011  in Geneva. The conference convened under the banner "Our World. Your move".

05 December 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Palestinian appreciation for Iceland´s initiative

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson has received a letter from Dr. Riad Malki, Foreign Minister of Palestine, where Minister Malki expresses his appreciation to Minister Skarphéðinsson and to the Althingi for the support given to an independent Palestine.

30 November 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland and Russia: communication cable, adoption, the Arctic and geothermal energy

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson met yesterday with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow. The meeting was a part of the Foreign Minister's official visit to the Russian Federation. The Foreign Minister had earlier signed an agreement that facilitates trade in dairy products from Iceland to Russia.

29 November 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Parliamentary resolution on an independent and sovereign Palestine

The Parliament of Iceland has approved a resolution put forth by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson, in which the Government is entrusted with recognising an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the pre-1967 Six Day War borders. The resolution was adopted without objections, with 38 votes in favour and 13 abstentions.

24 November 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Meeting with Ireland's European Minister

Today, Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson met with Ms. Lucinda Creighton, Minister of State With Special Responsibility for European Affairs in Ireland. The Ministers discussed measures the European Union has taken to deal with the debt crisis and the current situation and prospects ahead in the eurozone.

10 November 2011Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister meets Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

The Icelandic Foreign Minister, Mr Össur Skarphéðinsson, met last Tuesday with Mr Alexander Grushko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation in Reykjavík. The two ministers discussed the relations and cooperation of Iceland and Russia, especially in terms of international trade, the High North and energy affairs.

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Positive progress report on Iceland

Preparation of international agreement on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response

Chief Negotiator of Montenegro meets with Foreign Minister

Minister Skarphéðinsson addresses the UN General Assembly

Statement in the EFTA Standing Committee and the EEA Joint Committee

Commissioner Hahn discusses regional policy in Iceland

The EFTA court hears oral arguments in the Icesave case

Foreign Minister of Cyprus meets with Minister Skarphéðinsson

Foreign Minister of Denmark visits Iceland

The Arctic Council SAR agreement implemented in a live exercise

Foreign Minister calls for greater political cooperation between the Arctic states

The Foreign Minister meets with US Senator Murkowski

Iceland Supports Stronger International Response to the Syrian Crisis

Three chapters opened

Permanent Secretary of State meets with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Government of Iceland replies to the Statement in Intervention of the European Commission in the Icesave case

Foreign Minister strongly condemns atrocities in Syria

Norway and Liechtenstein support Iceland in the Icesave-case

The Goverment of Iceland responds to the Reply to its Defence in the Icesave case

Important issues discussed at the Nordic Foreign Ministers' meeting in Stavanger on 4 May 2012

Iceland expresses concerns over proposed EU regulation on trade measures

Minister presents annual report on foreign affairs

Free trade talks discussed with Chinese Minstry of Commerce

Icelandic Government observations on the European Commission's request to intervene in the Icesave case

The Medium Term Debt Management Strategy 2012-2015

Amendments to the Icelandic capital controls legislation on 13 March 2012

A workshop on cooperation in geothermal issues

Defence of the Government of Iceland in the Icesave case

Increased cooperation on Arctic affairs between Iceland and France

Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson met with Danish Minister for European Affairs

First meeting of the consultative group for Iceland‘s accession negotiations

Statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries at the Friends of Syria conference in Tunis, 24th of February 2012

A meeting of the Hoyvik Council in Reykjavik

Cyprus supports Iceland's application

Foreign Minister's official visit to Romania

Ambassador Gudmundur Árni Stefánsson presented today the Letters of Credence to President Obama

Tim Ward QC Instructed in the Icesave Case

Cabinet reshuffle

Iceland Recognizes Palestine

Foreign minister meets with Palestinian counterpart Dr. Riad Malki

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Iceland

Quarter of the chapters closed in Iceland's Accession negotiations with the EU

Icelandic and Chinese leaders hail 40 years of diplomatic relations

18th OSCE Ministerial Council held in Vilnius

Cooperation with the Icelandic Red Cross

Palestinian appreciation for Iceland´s initiative

Iceland and Russia: communication cable, adoption, the Arctic and geothermal energy

Parliamentary resolution on an independent and sovereign Palestine

Meeting with Ireland's European Minister

Foreign Minister meets Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

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