Prime Minister of Iceland and Premier of China meet in Reykjavik

The Premier of China, Mr. Wen Jiabao, started his official visit to Iceland today, and was met by the Prime Minister of Iceland, Mrs. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. This is the first visit of a Chinese Premier to Iceland.

This afternoon, the Prime Minister and the Premier had a bilateral meeting .  Attending the meeting were also the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, acting Minister of Economic Affairs and acting Minister of Industry, as well as eleven ministers and deputy ministers from China, including the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Commerce.

The Prime Minister and Premier discussed bilateral relations and trade between the two countries.  The Prime Minister put special emphasis on business opportunities and operations of Icelandic companies in China, the ongoing negotiations agreement aimed at promoting trade. Special emphasis was put on accelarating the free trade negotiations between Iceland and China, with the aim of a conclusion next year. The Prime Minister also discussed human rights issues, civil rights and international commitments. The Prime Minister and Premier agreed to enhance relations and cooperation on gender equality in the near future.

Arctic issues were also discussed at the meeting, as two memorandum of understanding related to bilateral cooperation on Arctic affairs were signed after the meeting, by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Iceland and China.  These agreements will provide various opportunities for increased cooperation on research between Icelandic and Chinese scientists in this area.

Utilisation of geothermal energy, and cooperation of Iceland and China in that regard, was part of the discussion, relating to cooperation and projects within China and in third countries. The Premier of China is an educated geologist and has shown interest in geothermal energy expertise in Iceland, and in Icelandic nature.  His visit to Iceland will allow him to familiarise himself with these issues, for example the operation of the Geothermal Energy Programme of the United Nations University that has been operated in Iceland since 1979.

The Chinese Premier complimented Iceland on the achievements it has made economically in the aftermath of the economic crisis in 2008.  He also invited the Prime Minister of Iceland to make an official visit to China in the near future.

Iceland is the first destination in a visit to four countries by the Premier. From Iceland he will travel to visit Germany, Sweden and Poland.