News
New Director General of the ICEIDA appointed
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ossur Skarphedinsson, has appointed Mr. Engilbert Gudmundsson to the position of Director General for the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA).
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Ambassador Kristin A. Arnadottir presents her credentials in Vietnam
On December 9, Ambassador Kristin A. Arnadottir presented her credentials to President Nguyen Minh Triet in Hanoi. Furthermore the Ambassador had meetings with the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade and the Vice Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.
MORE...Screening meeting on Free movement of goods concluded
The screening of chapter 1 – Free movement of goods – ended last Wednesday in Brussels. At the meeting, which lasted two days, experts from Iceland and the European Union compared the legislation in the chapter. The Icelandic team of experts was headed by Mrs. Bryndis Kjartansdottir, chairperson of the EEA I negotiations team.
MORE...Iceland's negotiating committee introduced it´s summary on Icesave
Iceland's negotiation committee introduced in Reykjavík today, Thursday 8. December, it's summary on the outcome of the recent discussions on Icesave in London with British and Dutch committees on the matter.
MORE...Screening meeting on Competition policy concluded
The Screening meeting between Iceland and the European Union on chapter 8 – Competition Policy - ended yesterday afternoon in Brussels. At the meeting, which lasted one day, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation of the Competitive law which covers both anti-trust and state aid control policies. The experts discussed Iceland's implementation of regulations which fall under chapter 8, which is part of the EEA-Agreement.
MORE...Study shows culture and creative industries as one of Iceland's biggest economic sectors
The study also shows that around 6% of the labour force is employed by the creative industries, which makes the creative class"one of the most populous in the country.
MORE...Cooperation in advanced technology between Iceland and Japan
Screening meeting on Information society and media concluded
The screening meeting between Iceland and the EU on chapter 10, Information society and media, was concluded yesterday. At the meeting, which lasted one day, experts from Iceland and the European Union compared the legislation in this chapter, which includes specific rules on electronic communications, on information society services and rules to protect children against harmful television material.
MORE...Screening meeting on Company law concluded
Screening meeting, between Iceland and European Union on chapter 6 of the EU acquis, Company law, ended yesterday in Brussels. At the meeting, which went on over the day, experts from Iceland and the European Union compared the legislation of chapter 6.
MORE...First screening meeting between Iceland and the EU
Today, the first screening meeting between experts from Iceland and the EU Commission took place in Brussels. The screening meetings are part of the preparation for the forthcoming negotiations on Iceland's membership of the EU.
MORE...EU issues Progress Report on Iceland
Furthering Nordic cooperation in foreign affairs and security policy
Statement of the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in Reykjavik on 3 November 2010 on matters of common interest in the area of foreign affairs and security policy.
MORE...Foreign Minster meets with Russia's Foreign Minister
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Ossur Skarphedinsson met with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today in Oslo, Norway.
MORE...Gender equality for a more peaceful world
Japan-Iceland Geothermal Forum November 16 2010
Based on the geothermal cooperation between Japan and Iceland, the Japan-Iceland Geothermal Forum 2010 presents an update from leading experts in geothermal energy development and utilization issues on the experiences and future challenges in Iceland, Japan and relevant developing countries.
Over 400 graduates of the UN University Geothermal Training Programme
The guiding principle for Iceland´s international development cooperation is to contribute in areas where Iceland has specific expertise and knowledge to offer and geothermal power generation features prominently in such considerations.
MORE...Össur Skarphéðinsson attends a NATO meeting of Ministers of Defence and of Foreign Affairs in Brussels
Today, Mr. Össur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended a joint North Atlantic Council in Foreign and Defence Ministers Session in Brussels. The agenda covered the new Strategic Concept, which the NATO Secretary General presented in a draft. The meeting also covered final preparations for the NATO Summit.
MORE...Iceland and Canada sign an agreement on defense cooperation
Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Peter G. MacKay, Canadian Minister of National Defence, signed an agreement on defence cooperation yearlier today.
MORE...Emphasis on Europe
Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, met Friday with his Estonian counterpart, Urmas Paet, in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. The ministers discussed bilateral relations and security and defense issues. They also discussed the status of Iceland's accession talks with the European Union and Iceland's main interests in the negotiations.
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Foreign Minister Skarphedinsson addresses EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee
Skarphedinsson meets with Foreign Minister Yeo
Foreign Minister focuses on human rights, climate change and economy at UN General Assembly
Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, urged Israel not to prevent humanitarian assistance from reaching the needy in Gaza and asked president Ahmadinejad of Iran to spare the life of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, in his speech at the 65. General Assembly of the United Nations
MORE...Minister encourages increased cooperation between Russia and NATO
Visit of Slovak President and Foreign Minister to Iceland
Icelandic government contributes aid to Pakistan
At a cabinet meeting this morning the Minister for Foreign Affairs informed that ISK 23 million will be contributed to emergency aid in areas impacted by the monsoon floods in Pakistan. The floods, the worst in more than 80 years, have affected millions of Pakistanis nationwide.
Iceland EU accession negotiations formally opened
Iceland's accession negotiations with the European Union were formally opened today at the first intergovernmental conference in Brussels. Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphédinsson, participated on Iceland's behalf in the conference, hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the EU.
MORE...Foreign Minister, Össur Skarphedinsson attends EU-Iceland Accession Conference
Össur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs will be traveling to Brussels Today, where he is to participate in the Intergovernmental Conference on 27 July 2010, which marks the start of the negotiations on Iceland's accession to The European Union. The Conference will to take place after the meeting of EU's Foreign Ministers.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs visits China
In a one-hour long meeting with Xi Jinping, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today, the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson, proposed a formal agreement between China and Iceland on co-operation in the field of geothermal development in developing countries, especially in East Africa, which is rich in geothermal resources.
MORE...Skarphedinsson meets with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary
Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, met this morning with János Martonyi, Hungarian Foreign Minister and Pal Schmitt, Speaker of the Parliament and newly elected president. Today marks an end to a three day official visit of the Icelandic Foreign Minister to Croatia and Hungary.
MORE...MEPs back Iceland's EU membership bid
The prospect of Iceland becoming a new EU Member State is welcomed in a resolution adopted on Wednesday by the European Parliament. MEPs expect that the new EP-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee between the EP and the Althingi (Icelandic Parliament) will enhance an existing "fruitful collaboration" between the two sides.
MORE...Icelandic Foreign Minister meets with his Croatian counterpart and president Josipovic
Össur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign affairs of Iceland, met yesterday in Zagreb with Gordan Jandrokovic, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Croatia and Ivo Josipovic, President of Croatia. Later in the morning Mr. Skarphedinsson visited the Croatian Parliament and met with Luka Bebic, Speaker of the Parliament.
MORE...Promote Iceland formally established
Promote Iceland (Islandsstofa) was formally established today. The aim is to strengthen Iceland's image and reputation, to strengthen the competitiveness of Icelandic businesses abroad and to encourage foreign tourists and investors to visit Iceland
MORE...EFTA Ministerial meeting: Free Trade Agreement signed with Ukraine
Professor Jagdish Bhagwati on the Climate Change Treaty
Deputy Minister Titov of Russia meets Minister Skarphedinsson
European Council decides to open negotiations with Iceland
The European Council decided today that negotiations should be opened for Iceland's accession to the European Union. The decision follows a positive opinion by the European Commission in February 2010 on Iceland's application
MORE...He Guoqiang visits Iceland
Mr. He Guoqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, visits Iceland on 9-10 June.
MORE...Icelanders get online for an invitiation to visit Iceland
Iceland condemns Israeli raid on Gaza convoy
The Foreign Minister joines the European Union, the United Nations and others in demanding an thorough investigation into the raid
MORE...Briefings about Iceland in eight European countries
Annual report on foreign affairs
Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered today his annual report on foreign affairs to the Icelandic Parliament.
Read his speech to parliament by clicking here
MORE...10.000 visit the Icelandic Pavilion at EXPO 2010 each day
German Parliament approves opening accession talks with Iceland
On 22 April 2010, the German Parliament approved EU accession talks with Iceland. This is the first time that a national parliament has voted on the application of an aspirant member of the EU, but the Bundestag adopted new legislation to that end after the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
MORE...The flight zone for Keflavik Airport is closed 23 April
With a view to the ash distribution forecast for Friday 23 April the flight zone for Keflavik and Reykjavík Airports have been closed for a certain period of time, see The Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration. In Iceland there are four international Airports, Keflavík, Reykjavík, Akureyri and Egilsstaðir. It is not expected that the ash distribution will reach Akureyri or Egilsstaðir and these two airports will be open for all air traffic. Passengers are asked to monitor flight schedules closely on travel industry web sites.
Information about the volcanic eruption in southern Iceland
The affects of the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in southern Iceland are regional and bound to a limited part of the south coast of Iceland. The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management has for precautionary reasons issued guidelines for the public and farmers in region with information on protection against ash fall. The Icelandic version of the guide is based on "The Health Hazards of Volcanic Ash" issued by the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network which is available here.
Information for airline passengers due to the volcanic eruption
Extension of Schengen visas due to airport closures
Conference on EU´s Support for Regional Policy
On 15 April, the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland, and the EU Commission co-hosted a conference on the European Union's regional policy and employment issues.
MORE...Second day of volcanic eruption under Eyjafjallajökull glacier
Update on the new volcanic eruption in Southern Iceland
Icelandic government welcomes investigative commission's report on collapse of Icelandic banks
The Icelandic government welcomes the report published today by the Special Investigative Commission of the Parliament on the causes of the collapse of the Icelandic banking system. The report is the first comprehensive analysis of the causes of the collapse of the three largest Icelandic banks.
MORE...Condolences to the Polish people
Absentee voting for Local Government Elections
Icelandic Defence Law to be amended
The Icelandic Government has decided to put forward a parliamentary bill to amend Defence Law nr. 34/2008.
MORE...Situation report on the volcanic eruption in Southern Iceland
Travelling restrictions remain in the area around where a volcanic eruption begun in Southern Iceland late Saturday night. Traffic on main roads has been reopened but travellers in the area are advised to exercise caution, follow instructions and not to enter restricted areas, which are marked.
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