News

Iceland and Myanmar establish diplomatic relations

The Governments of Iceland and Myanmar have established diplomatic relations.

Estonia's Foreign Minister visits Iceland

In their meeting the Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Estonia discussed bilateral cooperation and cooperation within international organizations, took status of Iceland‘s accession negotiations with the European Union, discussed economic development in the eurozone and issues related to NATO

No More Fishy Solutions to the Mackerel Dispute

<p>In an article in in Wall Street Journal Steingrimur J. Sigfusson, Minister of Industries and Innovation says that we need a science-based solution that ensures a fair share for all and safeguards all parties' environmental and economic interests.</p>

Nordic and Baltic states welcome decision of opposition forces in Syria to join hands

The Nordic and Baltic countries accept the new Coalition as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people and that they stand ready to support the Coalition on its path towards building a strong and viable political alternative to the current regime in Syria.

Workshop on arctic transportation infrastructure

The workshop is a part of a project, assessing transportation infrastructure in the High North on behalf of the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group.

Norway participates in exploration for oil and gas in Iceland through Petoro

<br> <p>The National Energy Authority of Iceland (NEA) has today finished processing two applications for licences for exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Dreki Area.…

Foreign Minister welcomes UN majority support for Palestine‘s status as Non-Member Observer State

The Foreign Minister urges the UN Security Council to listen to the message coming from the General Assembly and overwhelming majority of UN member states.

Iceland to co-sponsor Palestine's bid to become UN Non-member Observer State

<p>The Resolution will be voted on by the General Assembly tomorrow, 29 November.</p>

Treasury finances January-October 2012

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances for January-October 2012 are now available.</p>

Gender Budgeting in Iceland, Fact Sheet

Over ISK 6 billion in additional investment and growth sectors in 2013

<p>Funding for the 2013-2015 Investment Programme, submitted this spring with a reservation on the availability of funding, has now been secured.</p>

Foreign Minister calls for immediate halt to Israeli and Hamas attacks

<p>Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, restates his fear of escalating military conflict in Gaza. He strongly condemns the continued Israeli attacks on Gaza and Hamas rocket attacks on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.</p>

Icelandic Economic Situation, overview

Iceland´s trade policy is open and in line with international obligations

The Trade Policy Review of Iceland concluded today at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland

Foreign Minister condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza

Regrets all loss of life on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian border due to air and missile attacks.

Minister signs cooperation agreement with UN Women National Committee

<p>The Foreign Ministry and the National Committee of UN Women in Iceland sign a cooperation agreement for 2013-2015.<br> </p>

Magnús Jóhannesson appointed as the first Director of the Arctic Council

Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson welcomes Jóhannesson appointment to build up the Arctic Council's Secretariat, which is to be set up in Tromsø, Norway in 2013.&nbsp;

Tax information exchange agreement with Panama

<p>Iceland signed today a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with Panama. Iceland has now concluded 39 TIEAs with former secrecy jurisdictions having a financial centre attracting non-resident activities.</p>

Iceland is key partner in extensive development project on geothermal energy

Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, presented today the most extensive development project Iceland has participated in. It includes the development of&nbsp; a Global Geothermal Development Plan under the auspices of the World Bank

Congratulation to Obama on his re-election

The Prime Minister of Iceland has sent a letter to the re-elected President of the United States, Barack Obama, in light of the results in the presidential elections in the United States yesterday.&nbsp;

Treasury finances January-September 2012

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances for January-September 2012 are available now.</p>

Air surveillance and Nordic solidarity

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson writes about the readiness of Sweden and Finland to participate in air surveillance in Iceland in daily Fréttablaðið.

Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation.

<p>Great interest in an electricity interconnection between Iceland and the Faroe Islands</p>

Sweden and Finland confirm readiness to take part in air surveillance

Sweden and Finland confirmed during the meeting of Nordic Foreign Ministers in Helsinki today their readiness to take part in air surveillance in Iceland in 2014.

Advertisement of the results of the referendum on 20 October 2012

<p>With reference to the first paragraph of Article 10 of the Act on the Conduct of Referendums, No. 91/2010, the National Electoral Commission has informed the Ministry of the Interior of the results of the referendum on 20 October 2012 on the proposals by the Constitutional Council for a draft Constitutional Act and particular points relating to the proposals, which were declared at a meeting of…

Prime Minister meeting with Nordic Prime Ministers in Helsinki, and attending the 64th session of the Nordic Council.

<p>The Nordic Prime Ministers also discussed co-operation in security and defence in the Nordic countries, with reference to the report of Thorvald Stoltenberg from 2009. Sweden and Finland have expressed interest in participating in air surveillance in Iceland, when Norway is the lead nation from NATO allies early 2014.</p>

Prime Minister attends Nordic meetings in Helsinki, Finland

The Prime Minister is today participating in the meeting of Nordic and Baltic States‘ Prime Ministers in Helsinki.&nbsp; The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on the economic situation in Europe, international issues and various aspects of co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic States, which is in constant development.&nbsp; <br>

Iceland Statements Regarding Coastal States Negotiations on Sustainable Fishing of Mackerel

<p>The meeting between the Coastal States of Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands and the EU in London on the management of mackerel fisheries was inconclusive. The Icelandic delegation was lead by chief negotiator Sigurgeir Þorgeirsson and the round of talks took place on 22-24 October 2012.</p>

2/3rd of negotiating chapters opened

<p>Negotiations on three chapters were launched this morning in Iceland's accession talks with the European Union at an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in Brussels. The chapters opened are on Financial Services, Statistics and Customs Union. Further talks will now commence.</p>

Minister Skarphéðinsson receives Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov

Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, met today with Vladimir Titov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia,, discussing cooperation between Iceland and Russia on arctic issues.

Outcome of the counting of votes cast in the referendum on 20 October 2012.

<p>The National Electoral Commission has released details of the outcome of the counting of votes in the referendum held on 20 October 2012. The commission will meet on Monday, 29 October, to declare the results. Complaints alleging invalidity of the referendum may be submitted to the National Electoral Commission; this must be done not later than two days prior to the aforementioned meeting.</p>

EU prepared for negotiations on Chapters 3 and 4

Iceland has received a confirmation from the EU Council Presidency, Cyprus, that EU considers Iceland prepared for negotiations on Chapter 3, Right of establishment and Freedom to provide services and Chapter 4 on Free movement of capital

North Africa Days

<p>A two-day international conference,&#160; Nordic Africa Days, opened today, 18 October in Reykjavík.</p>

Iceland supports World Bank publication on handbook on geothermal energy

he primary authors of the handbook are Magnus Gehringer, Senior Energy Specialist, ESMAP, and Victor Loksha, Senior Energy Economist, ESMAP. The Icelandic Foreign Ministry has financed Mr. Gehringer's work on the handbook since 2010.

Two new Bills based on proposals from the Group of Three on Financial Stability in Iceland.

Framework legislation on financial stability needs to be adopted to enhance and preserve an efficient and effective financial system in Iceland for the public good.

Two new Bills based on proposals from the Group of Three on Financial Stability in Iceland

<p>Framework legislation on financial stability needs to be adopted to enhance and preserve an efficient and effective financial system in Iceland for the public good.</p>

Opening benchmarks on agriculture and rural development fulfilled

<p>Opening benchmarks, which were set for Chapter 11 on Agriclulture and rural development for Iceland‘s accession talks with the European Union, have been fulfilled by the Icelandic authorities</p>

The Well-being Watch's Report on Basic Services and Streamlining Measures in Times of Recession

<p>In connection with the implementation of the Government‘s covenant on stability of 25 June 2009, the Welfare Watch was commissioned to “examine, in collaboration with the Union of Local Authorities and the social partners, ways of protecting the basic services provided by the local authorities.”</p>

Negotiations concluded on international agreement on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response

Negotiations concluded at a meeting in Reykjavik of 70 experts from USA, Finland, Iceland, Canada, Russia, Sweden and Denmark on behalf of the Faroe Islands and Greenland.<br>

Framework for Financial Stability in Iceland

Positive progress report on Iceland

<p>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</p>

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

The Ministers letter to Nature Conservations

<p>The Minister of Industries and Innovation, mr Steingrímur J. Sigfússon sent a letter to the World Wildlife Fund and the Iceland Nature Conservation Association ..........</p>

Chief Negotiator of Montenegro meets with Foreign Minister

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

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

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.

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.

Treasury finances January-August 2012

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances for January-August2012 are available now.</p>

Group on the Removal of Iceland's Capital Controls

<p>The Ad Hoc Group on the Removal of Iceland's Capital Controls consisting of representatives of the Icelandic Government and the European Commission with participation from the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund held its first meetings in Reykjavik on 20 and 21 September</p>

The National Economic Forecast for 2013