News

Icelandic Art in Berlin

In January there are several opportunities to see Icelandic art and artists in Berlin in Germany.

Just and peaceful resolution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict essential for peace

Respect for human rights must be reinstated in Zimbabwe

<p>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.</p>

IMF Mission to Iceland: All Government Actions Proceeding on Schedule

A six-person delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been in Iceland during the past four days reviewing economic developments in Iceland, state finances, monetary policy and the restructuring of the country&#39;s banking system.

500 gather in London for Icelandic Independence celebration

Over 500 Icelanders and their friends attended a cultural evening celebrating the 90th anniversary of Independence of Iceland on 1 December.

Commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations paid a particular tribute to human rights defenders in all regions of the world in a statement Iceland made on behalf of the Nordic Countries.

The Government appoints Banking Expert

The Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office has enlisted the services of Swedish banking expert Mats Josefsson, on a temporary basis. Mats Josefsson will succeed Ásmundur Stefánsson as advisor on rebuilding Iceland&rsquo;s banking system.

Minister for Foreign Affaris addresses OSCE's Ministerial Council

Iceland&#39;s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, attended the OSCE Ministerial Council in Helsinki and held bilateral meetings

Open Letter from the Prime Minister of Iceland

The Prime Minister of Iceland, Geir H. Haarde, has written an open letter to those nations which have officially offered financial support to implement plans by the Icelandic government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic recovery measures.

Measures to Improve Conditions for Business and Industry

A working party responsible to the Cabinet, has drafted plans for urgent measures to respond to difficulties currently facing the nation.

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.

Iceland&#39;s Minister for Foreign Affairs signs the international convention banning cluster munitions in Norway

<p></p> <p>Iceland&#39;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</p> <p></p>

New Rules on Foreign Exchange

<p>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.</p> <br> <br>

Women and Men in Iceland 2008

Statistics of women and men in Iceland in 2008.

PTA - Statistic report for the first half of 2008 published

The PTA has published a statistic report on the Icelandic electronics communication market. The report is an in-depth information on the electronic communication market for the first half of 2008.

Treasury finances January-October 2008

Figures for Treasury finances in the first ten months of 2008 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 369 billion, increasing by 14 billion or 4.1%

International Monetary Fund approves Iceland's request for a two year stand-by arrangement

<p>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.</p> <br> <br>

International Monetary Fund approves Iceland´s request for a two year stand-by arrangement

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved Iceland?s request for a two year stand-by arrangement. Iceland will receive USD 2.1 bn. from the IMF.

Iceland Festival-Les Boreales in France

The Icelandic band Sigur Ros, the Hamrahlid Choir, an art exhibition by Erro, the Iceland Dance Company and the former President of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, are among those that participated in the festival "Les Boréales" 17-30 of November.

Letter of Intent to the IMF

The government of Iceland has made public the <a href="/media/utanrikisraduneyti-media/media/Frettatilkynning/LetterofIntent.pdf">letter of intent</a> sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on November 3, 2008.

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.

The Icelandic Government's program with the IMF

In the wake of the recent international financial turmoil, Iceland?s economy is facing a banking crisis of extraordinary proportions. The economy is heading for a deep recession, a sharp rise in the fiscal deficit, and a dramatic surge in public sector debt - by about 80%.

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.

National summary sheets on education systems in Europe and ongoing reforms - Iceland

Small Island Developing States

Dr. Gunnar Pálsson Ambassador-Designate of Iceland to Mauritius adress at "Doing Business 2009, Small Islands Developing States Report Launch Workshop" at Port Louis, Mauritius, November 12, 2008.

Commemorative meeting for the sixtieth anniversary of peacekeeping

<p align=justify>Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, on behalf of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).</p>

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. <br>

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.

The Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Norway met in Iceland to discuss economic issues and sign an Agreement on hydrocarbon deposits

<p>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.</p>

Address by Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde to the Federation of Icelandic Fishing Vessel Owners October 31st 2008

Let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity of being able to address this meeting here today. I wish to begin by thanking Björgólfur Jóhannesson, the outgoing managing director of the organisation, for our good cooperation in recent years and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Open debate in the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security

<p align=justify>Iceland stated that it is of the view that equal participation of women in peace processes are fundamental for achieving, maintaining and promoting sustainable peace and security </p>

The Hamrahlid Choir to visit France

The Icelandic Hamrahlid Choir will tour France 15-22 November. The conductor is Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir. The choir will perform in Paris, Strasburg and Caen.

Icelandic photography in Berlin

The photos of Ragnar Axelsson (Rax) tell stories of survival in a harsh environment. His focus is on ordinary people in remote areas of Iceland, the Fareo Islands and Greenland.

Icelandic National Report - Bologna 2008

Treasury finances January-September 2008

Figures for Treasury finances in the first nine months of 2008 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 332 billion, increasing by 12 billion or 3.6%

The Faroe Islands Come to Iceland's Aid

The Faroe Islands have offered Iceland a loan of DKK 300 million. The offer was put forward at a meeting in Helsinki, Finland, where Icelandic, Faroese and other Nordic politicians and officials are attending the Nordic Council Session.

Statement following the meeting of Nordic Prime Ministers 27 October 2008

At a meeting today, the Nordic Prime Ministers discussed the international financial crisis and the serious situation in Iceland in particular.

Iceland takes decisive action with the launch of an economic stabilisation plan in conjunction with the IMF

The Icelandic Government has reached an agreement ad referendum with a mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a comprehensive stabilisation program.

Norwegian Government Officials to Iceland for Talks on the Country´s Economy

A delegation of Norwegian Government Officials has arrived in Iceland, ready for talks with Icelandic authorities on the country´s current financial situation.

Promotion and protection of the rights of children

<p></p> <p align=justify>Iceland urges the prohibition of all forms of violence against children, including all corporal punishment. No form of violence against children can be justified and we must prevent, eliminate and respond to all violence against children. </p>

Advancement of women

<p align=justify>Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations. </p>

Business as usual-From the Icelandic Tourist Board

Business in Iceland is being conducted as usual. All services - including banking services &ndash; are functioning as on any other day. Hotels, restaurants, airlines, car rentals, currency exchange facilities, offices, shops, etc. are all open for normal business.

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.

The Prime Ministers Office Information Site

<a href="http://www.presspodium.com/is/">The Prime Minister of Iceland information site </a>contains news, press meetings and other information on Iceland in English.

Information center for the public, businesses and the media

<p>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.</p>

The UN Peacebuilding Commission

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, on behalf of the Nordic Countries.

Dutch and Icelandic understanding on IceSave

After constructive deliberations, the Dutch and Icelandic governments have agreed on a solution regarding the Dutch depositors of Landsbanki IceSave savings accounts.

Joint Declaration

Delegations of Iceland and the United Kingdom have met in a friendly atmosphere in Reykjavík to discuss issues of mutual interest related to the current financial crisis, with the objective to reach a mutually satisfactory solution on the issues concerned.

Operations begin at Nýi Landsbanki Íslands hf.

A new bank owned by the Treasury began operations today, taking over part of the operations of Landsbanki Íslands hf.

Iceland&#39;s Ambassador to the UK meets high officials at Downing Street

Iceland&#39;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&#39;s office and the UK Exchequer.