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. Malki a diplomatic note stating that as resolved with the Parliamentary Resolution of 29 November 2011 the Government of Iceland has, as of 15 December 2011, recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the pre-1967 Six Day War borders.

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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. MORE...

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.

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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.

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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. MORE...

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. MORE...

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".

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. MORE...

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson, Dr. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of the United Nations University (UNU) and Dr. Guðni A. Jóhannesson, Director General of the National Energy Authority today signed an agreement on the extension of the cooperation between Iceland and the UNU on the UNU Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP).

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Össur Skarphéðinsson Minister of Foreign Affairs in Iceland and Villy Søvndal the newly appointed Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with the Denmark's new Minister for European Affairs, Nikolai Wammen, met today at the sidelines of the Nordic Council Session in Copenhagen.

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The five Nordic foreign ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East today, focusing particularly on relations between Israel and the Palestinians in the wake of this week's vote in UNESCO. MORE...

Iceland commemorates the 40th anniversary of Iceland's development cooperation, 30th anniversary of the Icelandic Development Agency (ICEIDA) and tenth anniversary of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit.

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Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson last night met with  European Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle who is on a visit to Iceland MORE...

An Intergovernmental Conference was held in Brussels today between Iceland and the EU on two chapters in the current Accession negotiations; free movement of workers and intellectual property rights.

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The first reading of the resolution took place on 6 October and it was subsequently referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament. MORE...

The European Commission today published a progress report on the status in Iceland‘s accession negotiations with the European Union.

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Minister Skarphéðinsson supports the declaration made by the European Union critizising the trial over Ms Tymoshenko and will also support such a declaration with the OSCE later this week. MORE...

Össur Skarphéðinsson Minister for Foreign Affairs met yesterday with Guido Westerwelle, Germany‘s Minister for Foreign Affairs, discussing  Iceland's accession negotiations with the EU
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A new study on creative industries in Iceland has found that they generated turnover of ISK 1891 billion in 2009, accounting for 6.36% of the economy's total VATtaxable turnover MORE...

The Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Norway, Össur Skarphéðinsson and Jonas Gahr Støre, announced yesterday the establishment of a new professorship in the field of Arctic studies at the University of Akureyri. This is a part of increased co-operation between the two countries on co-operation on Arctic scientific research

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Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson told the United Nations General Assembly yesterday that Iceland was determined to fully recognize Palestine and that he will next week put to the Parliament of Iceland a resolution on the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state MORE...

32 posters by senior Icelandic Graphic Designer Goddur will be on display at the Beijing Design Week. The exhibition will take place in the L-Building on Power Square in the newly refurbished 751 D•Park, a former power plant that has been transformed into a vibrant cultural centre. MORE...

During the UN GA minister Össur Skarphéðinsson has met with Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries, Cyprus, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. MORE...

Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade Katrín Juliusdottir and Hoang Tsung Hai, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, signed an Air Transport Agreement between Iceland and Vietnam today. It is the first agreement in this field to be made between the two countries.

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Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Franco Frattini, declared full support to Iceland's application to the European Union during a meeting he had this morning with Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Frattini encouraged Icelanders to consult with Italians if complications would arise during negotiations, and said he understood the importance of fisheries for Iceland's economy.

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Minister Skarphéðinsson and Speaker Bebic discussed lessons learned from the two countries‘ EU accession negotiations, the role of small states in international cooperation and bilateral issues between Iceland and Croatia, including geothermal projects  and tourism. MORE...

During their meeting yesterday, Ossur Skarphedinsson Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Kuupik Kleist, the Prime Minister of Greenland, vowed to increase cooperation between the nations both with regard to bilateral projects and other affairs concerning the Arctic Region MORE...

The Nordic and Baltic countries have today signed a memorandum of understanding on the locating of diplomats at each other's missions abroad MORE...

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed and approved on Friday the sixth and final review of Iceland's Economic Recovery Programme, supported by a Stand-By Arrangement, making the country the first to complete such a program following the international financial recession. The objectives have been met and the successful collaboration between Iceland and the IMF has drawn considerable attention.

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Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, today met with Audronius Azubalis, Lithuania‘s Foreign Minister, who is in Iceland on an official visit. MORE...

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson met with Mr. Huang Nubo, chairman of the board of directors of Chinese investment firm Zhongkun Group on environmental tourism in Iceland.

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In his address, Ossur Skarphedinsson said that Icelanders were deeply grateful to be afforded this honor. At the time, Iceland had only done what was considered to be right, that is to fully support the sovereignty and independence of the Baltic countries.

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On Monday, Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, was present at the inauguration of the Iceland square in Riga, with Girts Valdis Kristovskis, Latvia's Minister for Foreign Affairs. The two ministers unveiled a memorial, in rememberance to Iceland being the first state to recognise Latvia's independence, 20 years ago.

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Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, discussed European affairs and matters concerning the Arctic region at his meeting in Tallinn Estonia, with Erkki Tuomioja, Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs. The ministers declared their wish to increase the two nations' cooperation regarding the Arctic region, with an emphasis on education, research and distance teaching.

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Foreign minister Skarphéðinsson thanked Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet for the honour shown to Icelanders by holding a culture festival dedicated to Iceland. MORE...

This violence is in violation of international human rights obligations and a cruel attack on the rightful demands of the Syrian public for reforms and democratic development. MORE...

By holding a special Iceland day, the Estonian state remembers that Iceland was the first country to recognise Estonia's restored independence in 1991. MORE...

Iceland's minister for foreign affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson had meetings with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, Saeb Erekat the chief negotiator and Yasser Abed Rabbo general secretary of the PLO in Ramallah

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson and Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riad Al-Malki have signed in Ramallah a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations between the government of Iceland and the government of Palestine MORE...

Minister for Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and His Royal Highness, Prince Hashem Ben Al Hussein. MORE...

The minister will meet with the Palestinans and their neighbouring countries to discuss Palestine‘s status MORE...

The meetings followed yesterday‘s EU- Iceland Intergovernmental conference in Brussels where the first four chapters of the negotiations were opened.

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Icelandic Foreign Minister Össur Skarphédinsson stated Iceland's willingness to open the chapters on fisheries and agriculture as soon as possible.

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Össur Skarphéðinsson, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, has signed on behalf of Iceland, a free trade agreeement between the four EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and Hong Kong, China MORE...

Today marks the conclusion of the screening process between the European Union and Iceland, which began in November last year. Experts from Iceland and the European Commission have now compared and scrutinized legislation in all 33 substantive chapters of the accession negotiations. The screening meetings have shown that Iceland already implements, in part or in whole, EU legislation (acquis communautaire) in 21 chapters through its membership of the European Economic Area (EEA). The meetings have also revealed the main legislative differences in chapters outside of the EEA, such as fisheries, agriculture, regional policy and monetary policy.

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The screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 15 – energy – was concluded in Brussels on 20 June. At the meeting, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter, which has partially been adapted into Icelandic law in accordance with the EEA-Agreement. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Bryndís Kjartansdóttir, chairperson of the EEA I negotiation team.

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Kristín A. Árnadottir, Ambassador of Iceland, presented a Letter of Credentials to the President of Mongolia, H.E.  Tsakija Elbegdorj, on 6 June of this year. After the meeting, the Ambassador met with Luimed Gansukh Minister of Environment and Tourism; Dhasdorj Zorigt, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Damdin Tsogtbaatar, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia. MORE...

Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson, met with Mr. Guma El-Gamaty, the UK Co-ordinator for the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya on 3 June 2011 to discuss the situation and measures taken by the International Community in Libya. MORE...

Screening meeting with European Union on Chapter 20 – Enterprise and industrial policy – was concluded in Brussels on Wednesday, 25 May 2011. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the chapter, which is part of the EEA-Agreement. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Bryndís Kjartansdóttir, chairperson of EEA I negotiation team. MORE...

The screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 30 – External Relations – was concluded in Brussels on 19 May. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter, which is not part of the EEA-Agreement. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. María Erla Marelsdóttir, chairperson of the External Trade, Foreign and Security Affair negotiation team.

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Activity in the volcanic eruption in Grimsvotn in southern Iceland is significantly reduced and the volcano is reduced to emitting mostly low steam, 100-200 meters. Small explosions can still be expected, according to information from the Icelandic Met Office. Travellers are advised not to go closer to the eruption than 6 km, due to these explosions.
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 “The worst is over,” said Icelandic Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir today, “and now the clean-up can begin. Our geoscientists say that the eruption is waning day by day and that the problems arising in our neighbouring countries as a result of volcanic ash should be resolved quickly.”

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At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the chapter, which is not part of the EEA-Agreement. MORE...

A volcanic eruption began in the Grimsvotn underneath the Vatnajökull glacier in South-East Iceland in the afternoon of Saturday, 21 May. Due to airborn ash concentration resulting from the eruption plume, aviation safety measures are in effect and domestic and international air traffic has been closed for Sunday 22 May.

Further information on the eruption can be found on the websites of

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 17 – Economic and monetary policy – was concluded in Brussels 17 May. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter, which is not part of the EEA-Agreement. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Már Guðmundsson, Governor, Central Bank of Iceland.

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Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson and Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Secretary of State met in Washington DC yesterday. They discussed Arctic issues, security and defence cooperation, the situation in the Middle East and cooperation on geothermal energy.

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 28 – Consumer and Health protection – was concluded in Brussels 16 May. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of EEA II negotiation team. At the meeting discussion took place on the implementation of rules into Icelandic legislation in the area of consumer and health protection. MORE...

Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson says no governement has the right to use force in the way that has been done in Syria recently. MORE...

Össur Skarphéðinsson Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, yesterday presented an annual report on foreign affairs to the Icelandic Parliament.

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Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs signed an agreement on cooperation in Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic, along with representatives of the other seven member states of the Arctic Council at its Ministers meeting in Nuuk, Greenland on 12 May MORE...

 Dr. Marcela Villarreal, Director of FAO's Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division, introduces a new report by the Un food and agriculture organisation (FAO) on Women and Food Security.

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Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, urges the Israeli authorities to immediately release Palestinian tax funds to the Palestinian Authority in order for them to be able to provide essential services and pay wages

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A parliamentary resolution on Iceland's Arctic Policy was approved by Althingi on March 28 2011. It aims at securing Icelandic interests with regard to the effects of climate change, environmental issues, natural resources, navigation and social development as well as strengthening relations and cooperation with other States and stakeholders on the issues facing the region.

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At a meeting with Mr. S.M. Krishna, India's Foreign Minister in New Delhi yesterday, Mr. Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, made a formal request that India would continue to support Iceland's Economic Recovery Programme within the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Also Mr. Skarphedinsson expressed his gratitude for India's positive reaction towards the Icelandic government request for support when disbursement of the Fund's loan to Iceland was delayed at an earlier stage.
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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 29 – European Union Customs Union – was concluded in Brussels 6 April. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Marianna Jonasdottir, chairperson of Financial Affairs negotiation team.

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 33 – Financial and Budgetary Provisions – was concluded in Brussels yesterday. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Marianna Jonasdottir, chairperson of Financial Affairs negotiation team.

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 12 – Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy – was concluded in Brussels yesterday. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. At the meeting, the implementation of rules in the area of food safety in Iceland was discussed but being part of the EEA-Agreement Iceland has already implemented large part of the acquis under this Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Bryndis Kjartansdottir, chairperson of EEA I negotiation team. MORE...

Yesterday, Mr. Össur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended a conference in London, where representatives from fifty states and international organizations met to discuss the situation in Libya. The British government convened the London Conference on Libya, which included UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, leaders of the Arab League, the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, NATO, along with Foreign Ministers of most European states, the United States, Canada and numerous Arab states. MORE...

Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of structural instruments – was concluded in Brussels 22 February. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Ragnheidur Elfa Thorsteinsdottir, chairperson of the Negotiation Team on Regional Policy.

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson, has announced that Iceland will contribute ISK 12 million to humanitarian assistance for people affected by the crisis in Libya. MORE...

The Government of Iceland will contribute ISK 10 million to humanitarian assistance in Japan in response to the emergency situation caused by the devastating earthquake and tsunami. MORE...

Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment – was concluded in Brussels 16 March. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of the EEA II negotiation team.

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"Sagenhaftes Island" has received a € 200,000 grant from the EU's Culture programme. In the months before the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, Sagenhaftes Island will stage an ambitious series of cultural events focusing on Icelandic literature, as well as Icelandic art and design.

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 16 – Taxation – was concluded in Brussels on 4 March 2011. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Marianna Jonasdottir, chairperson of the Financial Affairs negotiation team.
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The screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 13 – Fisheries – was concluded in Brussels on 2 March 2011. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland presented a detailed overview of fisheries and related legislation in Iceland. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Kolbeinn Árnason, Chairman of the Negotiation Group on Fisheries.

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Following the President´s decision not to sign into law the so-called Icesave bill passed by parliament, a national referendum on its validity will be held on 9 April. The bill had been passed by the Icelandic parliament with an overwhelming majority; 44 votes out of 63 in favour. MORE...

This is the first time that a comprehensive strategy and plan of action for Iceland's development cooperation is tabled in parliament. The proposal will be deliberated by the Foreign Affairs Committee of Althingi before a final vote by members of parliament. MORE...

Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson met with his Polish counterpart Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw yesterday MORE...

Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights – was concluded in Brussels last Friday. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Ms. Ragnhildur Helgadottir, chairperson of the Justice and Home Affairs negotiation team. MORE...

Last week, Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson visited Vilnius at the invitation of the Lithuanian government to celebrate that Iceland was the first country to support Lithuania's independence 20 years ago. During the visit Mr. Skarphedinsson met Dalia Grybauskaite, president of Lithuania and Audronius Azubalis, the Foreign Minister

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 2 – Freedom of movement for workers – was concluded in Brussels 9 February. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of the EEA II negotiation team.

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Össur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, is deeply concerned by the situation in Egypt and condemns any use of violence against protesters MORE...

Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 11 – Agriculture and rural development – was concluded in Brussels 27 January. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the EU legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed with Mr. Sigurgeir Thorgeirsson, chairman of the negotiation team.
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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 27- Environment – was concluded in Brussels 20 January. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the Icelandic legislation with the legislation of the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of the EEA II negotiation team.

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 26 – Education and culture – was concluded in Brussels 14 January. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared legislation of the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of the EEA II negotiation team.

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Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 25 – Science and research – was concluded in Brussels 14 January. At the meeting, the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the European Union compared the legislation of the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of the EEA II negotiation team.

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