Work continues on a mutually acceptable solution to Icesave
Press release of the Government of Iceland on the Icesave referendum
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Press centre set up for visiting journalists for Saturday's referendum
Over 30 media outlets are expected in Iceland for the referendum.
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Iceland welcomes the opinion of the European Commission on Iceland's EU application
Iceland welcomes the opinion of the European Commission on Iceland's application for EU membership, which recommends the opening of accession negotiations
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Iceland and the United Nations University Sign Agreement on a Land Restoration Training Programme
The Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs, The Agricultural University of Iceland, The Soil Conservation Service of Iceland and the United Nations University have signed an agreement to operate the United Nations University Land Restoration Training Programme in Iceland (UNU-LRT).
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Iceland protests a meeting of 5 Arctic Council member states in Canada
The Icelandic government has formally protested a meeting of five member states of the Arctic Council, which is scheduled to take place in Canada this March, whithout the participation of Iceland, Sweden and Finland, who also sit in the Council
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Iceland tops Environmental Performance Index
Iceland ranks first among 163 countries in an Environmental Performance Index produced by environmental experts from Yale University and Columbia University. According to the findings, Iceland's top ranking derives from its high scores on environmental public health, controlling greenhouse gas emission, renewable energy production and reforestation.
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Out of country voting
Out of country voting for the national referendum on the so-called Icesave issue on 6 March 2010
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National referendum on 6 March
A national referendum on the so-called Icesave legislation will be held on 6 March 2010, as announced by the Icelandic Minister of Justice, Ragna Arnadottir, today. Out of country voting will start on the 28 January.
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Icelandic team rescues first earthquake-victims in Port-au-Prince
A 35-man strong Icelandic International Search and Rescue Team has pulled the first two eartquake-victims alive out of the rubble of the Caribbean Market in Port-au-Prince in Haiti.
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Icelandic search and rescue team among the first to Haiti
A 37-man strong Icelandic International Search and Rescue Team has landed in Port-au-Prince, one of the first rescue teams to reach Haiti following the devastating earthquake which hit 24 hours ago
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Iceland sends a search and rescue team to Haiti
The foreign minister of Iceland, Mr Ossur Skarphedinsson, has decided to deploy the Icelandic International Search and Rescue Team to Haiti to participate in rescue efforts after an earthquake hit south of Port-au-Prince yesterday.
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Skarphedinsson and Moratinos: Icesave has no impact on EU's treatment of application
The Foreign Minister of Iceland, Ossur Skarphedinsson, spoke today with Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the Foreign Minister of Spain, which holds the Presidency of the European Union.
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National referendum to take place as soon as possible
The Icelandic Parliament, Althingi, convened today to debate a Government bill regarding the preparation for a national referendum on the so-called Icesave legislation. This comes in the wake of the President of Iceland´s decision on 5 January not to sign into law a bill which provides for a state guarantee of loan repayments to the British and Dutch governments.
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The Government of Iceland remains fully committed to honour Iceland's obligations
The Government of Iceland has decided to hold a national referendum on the so-called Icesave legislation, following broad consultations with both coalition and opposition parties as well as employers' associations and labor unions. The referendum is expected to take place late February.
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The Government committed to the Economic Program
The President of Iceland has declined to sign a law authorising a state guarantee for repayment of loans provided by the UK and the Netherlands to the Depositors' and Investors' Guarantee Fund, intended to cover payment of the minimum deposit guarantees to depositors in the UK and Netherlands branches of the failed Landsbanki Íslands hf.
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Nordic Council of Ministers to hold Energy and climate day at Shanghai World EXPO 2010
The Nordic Council of Ministers is to hold a Nordic- Chinese Energy and Climate Day on the 25th of June 2010 at the Shanghai World Expo, bringing together ministers, business leaders, researchers and other key stakeholders from China and the Nordic region.
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EFTA Surveillance Authority´s preliminary findings regarding a complaint concerning Iceland´s Emergency Act No 125/2008
The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) presented its preliminary findings in a letter dated 4 December 2009 on a complaint raised by a group of general creditors of the Icelandic banks Glitnir bank, Kaupthing bank, Landsbanki Islands, SPRON and Sparisjodabanki Islands
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Iceland's negotiation committee appointed
The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs has appointed Iceland's negotiation committee for the upcoming accession negotiations with the European Union. Ambassador Stefan Haukur Johannesson is the Chief negotiator and will lead the negotiation committee. The negotiation committee consists of the Chief negotiator, 10 chairpersons of individual negotiation teams and seven other members.
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Foreign Minister appoints Chief negotiator
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has appointed Ambassador Stefan Haukur Johannesson to serve as Iceland's Chief negotiator in the upcoming accession negotiations with the European Union
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The Icelandic Government submits answers to a Questionnaire from the European Commission
All ministries and a number of agencies contributed to this effort, which resulted in more than 2600 pages of answers, in addition to annexes and attachments, 8870 pages in total. The answers will form the basis for the Commission?s opinion to the European Council regarding Iceland?s readiness for formal candidate status.
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Foreign Minister discusses economic crisis and climate change at UN General Assembly
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ossur Skarphedinsson, discussed the effects of the economic crisis in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Saturday 26 September. The Minister conveyed Iceland's deep dissatisfaction with ongoing delays on reviewing the Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund due to unrelated bilateral disputes.
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Icelandic Foreign Minister meets with British and Dutch counterparts
Ossur Skarphedinsson, David Miliband and Maxime Verhagen discussed the Icesave issue on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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Foreign Minister attending UN General Assembly
Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, will address the General Assembly on Saturday, 26 September
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Icelandic Foreign Minister meets with IMF chief
Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the IMF in New York
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Spanish Foreign Minister says Iceland has much to contribute in the EU
Iceland's Foreign Minister, Ossur Skarphedinsson, met with his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos, yesterday evening at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
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EU questionnaire for Iceland made public
A questionnaire, presented yesterday by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, to the Icelandic Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, has been made public. The questionnaire includes 2,500 questions in 33 chapters.
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Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers meet in Iceland
Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, chaired an annual meeting of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers in Iceland
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Joint declaration of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers
The Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers call upon the Sri Lankan Government to solve the humanitarian crisis
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NATO Secretary General visits Iceland
First visit of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, new Secretary General, to a NATO member country.
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Open debate in the Security Council on "Women and peace and security" and Security Council resolution 1820
Statement by Mr. Jón Erlingur Jónasson, Deputy Permanent Representative.
French Minster for European Affairs visits Iceland
Pierre Lellouche French Minster for European Affairs and Icelandic Foreign Minister discuss Iceland's EU application.
MORE...Skarphedinsson welcomes decision of EU Foreign Ministers
Foreign Ministers of the EU have invited the Commission to prepare an opinion on Iceland's preparedness to enter negotiations on accession.
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Lithuanian Parliament supports Iceland's EU application
The Lithuanian Parliament, Seimas, agreed today on a parliamentary resolution welcoming and supporting Iceland’s decision to apply for accession to the European Union and inviting other EU member states to support the application.
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Iceland submits formal EU application in Stockholm
Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson submitted today a formal application for accession to the EU to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in Stockholm.
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Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Sweden meet in Stockholm
Ossur Skarphedinsson will formally hand over Iceland's EU application at a meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
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Iceland submits an application for accession to the EU
An advanced copy of Iceland's application for accession to the European Union has been submitted to the Swedish government, which currently holds the EU Presidency
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Iceland's Parliament votes in favour of applying for EU membership
The Parliament of Iceland voted today in favour of applying for membership of the European Union. This follows a resolution proposal submitted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
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The World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development
Statement by Mr. Emil Breki Hreggvidsson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations.
MORE...Tenth Meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
Statement by Ambassador Gunnar Pálsson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations.
Energy, Efficiency, Energy Conservation and New and Renwable Sources of Energy
Statement by Ambassador Gunnar Pálsson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations.
MORE...Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Nordic Countries
Declaration from the meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affaris of the Nordic Countries in Reykjavik 8-9 June 2009
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Nordic Foreign Ministers meet in Reykjavik
The five Ministers will discuss the Stoltenberg report on Nordic foreign and security policy cooperation and international issues
MORE...Climate change and its possible security implications
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, Ambassador Gunnar Pálsson.
MORE...Foreign minister visits Malta, discusses EU
Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs has today and yesterday visited Malta where he met with Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg.
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A proposal for a parliamentary resolution on application for accession to the European Union
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ossur Skarphedinsson, will put forward a proposal for a parliamentary resolution on application
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Foreign Minister strongly condemns North Korea's nuclear test
The Icelandic Government's clear position is against any use of nuclear weapons or actions likely to promote proliferation.
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Icelandic Embassies will be point of contact for tourism related information
The Icelandic Foreign Service, the Trade Council of Iceland and the Icelandic Tourist Board increase cooperation.
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Foreign Minister participates in the EEA Council meeting
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ossur Skarphedinsson also met with Ministerial colleagues and representatives of the European Commission.
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Iceland donates 5 million IKR in emergency relief in Sri Lanka
Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, urges the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers to ensure that the civilian population is protected in the fighting.
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Iceland responds to UK Treasury Select Committee's report in a letter to MPs
Iceland's Ambassador in London has sent a letter, on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson, to all Members of the United Kingdom Parliament
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Icelandic Foreign Minister makes a formal complaint on British PM's comments
The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ossur Skarphedinsson, today made a formal complaint on comments made by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, during a session of Parliamentary question time
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Icelandic Press Officer to join UNICEF in Sudan
The Icelandic Crisis Response Unit has deployed a press officer, Mr. Steinar Sveinsson, for two months, to UNICEF in Sudan.
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Code of Conduct for the Foreign Service
This is the first Code of Conduct to be issued by an Icelandic Ministry, though the Government has recently set up a working group to establish a general Code of Conduct for the civil service as a whole.
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Iceland comments on EC proposals for restructuring of financial markets supervision in Europe
Iceland has sent the European Commission comments on the Commission?s proposals on addressing the financial meltdown and the actions necessary to remedy the crisis.
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Iceland and Dominica to cooperate on geothermal energy
Iceland and the Commonwealth of Dominica have signed a memorandum of understanding on geothermal energy cooperation.
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Iceland's Foreign Minister concerned regarding N-Korea's missile launch
The Icelandic Foreign Minister fully supports calls from the international community that North-Korea respects its international commitments and engages in talks with other states.
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NATO summit welcomes Iceland's initiative on the High North
Iceland's Foreign Minister urges NATO to increase its role in the High North but cautions against increased military presence in the area.
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Iceland's FM and US President discuss geothermal energy
President Obama designates a special contact for Iceland on cooperation in the field of geothermal energy
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UK Treasury Committe publishes report on failure of Icelandic Banks
The Treasure Committe of the House of Commons has published a report examining the consequences of the failure of the Icelandic banks in October 2008. The report is the first in a series on the Banking Crisis.
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Foreign Minister attending NATO anniversary Summit
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ossur Skarphedinsson, will attend the 60th anniversary NATO Summit,
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Foreign Ministers of Iceland and UK meet in London
The Icelandic Foreign Minister, Mr Ossur Skarphedinsson, and the Foreign Secretary, Mr David Miliband MP, met in London on 31 March 2009
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Increased cooperation in promoting Iceland and Icelandic products
Cooperation Agreement between the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Icelandic Tourist Board and the Trade Council of Iceland on Promote Iceland
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Report on Nordic Development and Humanitarian Programmes
A report on Nordic development and humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan has been published
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Absentee voting for Parliamentary elections begins
Absentee voting for the 25 April Parliamentary elections in Iceland will begin on Monday, 16 March 2009.
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A Risk Assessment for Iceland
Professor Valur Ingimundarson, Chairman of the interdisciplinary Commission for a Risk Assessment for Iceland, today delivered the Commission's report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson.
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Iceland invites the OSCE to observe elections
The Icelandic delegation to OSCE, in Vienna, has invited the organization to observe the early, parliamentary elections, planned for this spring.
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Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Albania meet
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphedinsson, met with the Foreign Minister of Albania, Lulzim Basha, on February 12 during his visit to Iceland to discuss NATO’s enlargement process as well as energy issues.
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Icelandic Foreign Minister interviewed by David Frost
Össur Skarphéðinsson, the Icelandic Foreign Minister, talked about the Icelandic economy, European issues and fisheries with David Frost on the television station Al Jazeera.
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Stoltenberg Report presented to Nordic Foreign Ministers
Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs today received, on behalf of his Nordic colleagues, a report by Thorvald Stoltenberg, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Norway
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Political advisor to the Minister
Kristján Guy Burgess has been appointed political advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
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New Minister for Foreign Affairs
A new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ossur Skarphedinsson, took office yesterday, replacing Mrs. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir,
Security Prospects in the High North
Important changes are under way in the High North which will have a broad impact on international affairs. The Government of Iceland is organising, jointly with NATO, a seminar in Reykjavík on 29 January 2009 to discuss current and future strategic implications of the developments in the High North.
MORE...Iceland's coalition government resigns
Iceland's Prime Minister, Geir H. Haarde, announced today the resignation of the coalition government of the Independence Party and the Social Democratic Alliance.
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Iceland's Foreign Minister returns
Doctors in Stockholm confirmed this morning that the minister's brain tumour is benign.
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U.S. and Iceland sign a Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement
The Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Christopher S. Wilson, and the acting Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Össur Skarphéðinsson, today signed in Reykjavik a U.S.-Iceland Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement.
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Minister's absence extended
The medical treatment of Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, in Stockholm has been extended
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Statement Concerning Legal Proceedings Against UK Authorities
The government of Iceland has decided to examine any and all possibilities of Iceland seeking redress before the European Court of Human Rights for the application by UK authorities of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 against Landsbanki last year.
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Minister's absence due to treatment
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, will undergo radiation therapy at the Karolinska hospital in Stockholm next week.
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Iceland's Foreign Minister supports IWC appeal of an immediate stop to military action in Gaza
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, and honorary member of the International Women's Commission (IWC) for a Just and Sustainable Palestinian-Israeli Peace, encourages attention to the situation in Gaza.
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Respect for human rights must be reinstated in Zimbabwe
In a joint statement the Nordic Foreign Ministers state that the misrule of Robert Mubabe must come to an end and respect for human rights reinstated in Zimbabwe.
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Minister for Foreign Affaris addresses OSCE's Ministerial Council
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, attended the OSCE Ministerial Council in Helsinki and held bilateral meetings
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Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs signs the international convention banning cluster munitions in Norway
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjorg Solrún Gisladottir said that the convention offered new hope for the thousands who are threatened by the existence of cluster munitions
Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland encouraged countries to ratify the Convention and work on getting as many other countries as possible on board as Parties.
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New Rules on Foreign Exchange
The Central Bank of Iceland has issued new Rules on Foreign Exchange. The issuance is based on the authority contained in the Act amending the Foreign Exchange Act of 1992.
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International Monetary Fund approves Iceland's request for a two year stand-by arrangement
Iceland will receive USD 2.1 bn. from the IMF. Additional loans of up to USD 3 bn. have been secured from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and Poland. The Faroe Islands have announced that they would lend Iceland USD 50 million.
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Letter of Intent to the IMF
The government of Iceland has made public the letter of intent sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on November 3, 2008.
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Agreed Guidelines Reached on Deposit Guarantees
Significant progress has been made towards solving the differences on the interpretation of legal obligations with respect to deposit guarantees in the European Economic Area.
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From the Central Bank of Iceland
Payment intermediation to and from the United Kingdom is proceeding much more smoothly than before. However, it is important to bear in mind that payments generally take a longer time to reach their destination than they did before problems developed roughly a month ago.
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The Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Norway met in Iceland to discuss economic issues and sign an Agreement on hydrocarbon deposits
The two Ministers discussed several topics. Among them, the current economic situation in Iceland, Norwegian assistance in the form of credit facilities and the forthcoming investigation of events that lead to the bank crisis.
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Icelandic Chamber of Commerce: The Icelandic Economic Situation: Status Report - 24th October 2008
The current economic turmoil in Iceland is part of a complex global financial crisis and is by no means an isolated event.Thus far, Iceland has been hit particularly hard by this unprecedented financial storm due to the large size of the banking sector in comparison to the overall economy.
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Meeting between the Ambassador of Iceland and representatives of the UK Local Government Authorities
Ambassador Sverrir Haukur Gunnlaugsson, Ambassador of Iceland to the UK met today with representatives of the UK Local Government Authorities (LGA) and discussions were friendly.
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Business as usual-From the Icelandic Tourist Board
Business in Iceland is being conducted as usual. All services - including banking services – are functioning as on any other day. Hotels, restaurants, airlines, car rentals, currency exchange facilities, offices, shops, etc. are all open for normal business.
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Information center for the public, businesses and the media
Due to the special circumstances on the Icelandic financial markets the Government of Iceland has decided to open an information center for the public, businesses and the media, both in Iceland and abroad.
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The Prime Ministers Office Information Site
The Prime Minister of Iceland information site contains news, press meetings and other information on Iceland in English.
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Iceland's Ambassador to the UK meets high officials at Downing Street
Iceland's Ambassador to the UK, Mr. Sverrir Haukur Gunnlaugsson, had a meeting this afternoon, Wednesday 8 October, at 10 Downing Street with a number of high officials from the UK Prime Minister's office and the UK Exchequer.
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The United Nations: the Nordic Experience
Iceland, one of the five Nordic countries, is standing for election to the UN Security Council in October 2008. The Nordic countries have a long history of active engagement in the work of the UN. Read more about the Nordic commitment to the UN here.
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