News

Foreign Minister and Negotiations Committee Meet With EU Enlargement Commissioner

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

Two chapters concluded in negotiations between Iceland and EU

<p>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.</p>

Visit of the Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Füle

<p>The Prime Minister today received Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle in the Government House.</p>

Treasury finances January - August 2011

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances in January -August 2011 are now available.</p>

Foreign Minister submits a proposal to Althingi for a parliamentary resolution on recognition of Palestine

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

Germany reiterates support for Iceland

Össur Skarphéðinsson Minister for Foreign Affairs met yesterday with Guido Westerwelle, Germany‘s Minister for Foreign Affairs, discussing&nbsp; Iceland's accession negotiations with the EU<br>

Foreign Minister disappointed with verdict over Tymoshenko

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.

EU progress report states Iceland fulfills political and economic conditions

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

Towards Creative Iceland:building local, going global

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

Health Care System reform and short termsavings opportunities. Iceland Health Care System project

<p>A final report from a 5 week effort to analyze the performance of the Icelandic health care system and</p> <p>identify opportunities for short term savings and more long term Health Care reform. The Boston Consulting Group 7. October 2011.</p>

Norway and Iceland increase their co-operation on arctic issues

<p>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</p>

Iceland to support Palestinian statehood in the UN General Assembly

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

Poster Design from Iceland at Beijing Design Week

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.

Foreign Minister attends UN General Assembly

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

Italy's full support to Iceland's application

<p>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.…

Air Transport Agreement between Iceland and Vietnam signed

<p>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.</p>

Treasury finances January-July 2011

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances for January-July 2011 are available now.</p>

Skarphedinsson and Kleist vow to increase cooperation between Iceland and Greenland

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

Minister meets with Speaker of Croatian Parliament

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 &nbsp;and tourism.

Conference in Reykjavik City Hall Wednesday September 14 on improving democracy within the state and the municipalities

<p>Improving democracy within the state and municipalities is the main topic of a conference organized by the Icelandic Ministry of the Interior Wednesday September 14. Participants are kindly asked to register by sending e-mail to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> Monday September 12 the latest.…

Reinforced diplomatic cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries

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

Iceland completes IMF Programme

<p>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.…

Iceland completes IMF Programme

<p>The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed and approved today 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.</p>

Iceland completes IMF Programme

<p>The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed and approved today 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.…

Iceland's and Lithuania's Foreign Ministers discuss EU, NATO issues

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

Inauguration of the Iceland square in Riga

<p>On Monday,&#160;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.</p>

The Minister's address

<p dir="ltr">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.</p>

Minister discusses foreign investment&nbsp;in environmental tourism

<p>Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson met with Mr. Huang Nubo, chairman of the board of directors of&#160;Chinese investment firm Zhongkun Group on environmental tourism in Iceland.</p>

Modernisation of Higher Education in Europe: Funding and the Social Dimension 2011

Iceland and Finland will increase cooperation regarding the Arctic

<p dir="ltr">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.</p>

Estonia honours Iceland with Iceland Day festival

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

Minister condemns violence against civilians in Syria

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.

Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Estonia meet in Tallinn

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

Treasury finances January - June 2011

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances in January-June 2011 are now available.</p>

Ring Road open for ferry transport; road connection possible in the middle of next week

This morning the Government held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the repercussions of the glacial flood from Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which washed away the bridge over the river Múlakvísl.

Ring Road open for ferry transport; road connection possible in the middle of next week

<p>This morning the Government held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the repercussions of the glacial flood from Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which washed away the bridge over the river Múlakvísl.<br> </p>

Minister completes visit to Gaza, Ramallah and Jordan

<p>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</p>

Foreign Minister Discusses Middle-East Peace Process with Jordanian Authorities

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

Icelandic and Palestinian Ministers sign MoU on political consultations

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

Foreign Minister visits Gaza, Jordan and Ramallah

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

Treasury finances January-May 2011

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances in January-May 2011 are now available.</p>

Science and Technology Policy for Iceland 2010-2012 - Building on solid foundations

Minister meets with EU Commissioners and European Parliament MEP

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

Four chapters opened and two closed at the launch of substantive accession negotiations between Iceland and the EU

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

Minister signs a free trade agreement between EFTA and Hong Kong

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

Screening meeting on energy concluded

<p>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.…

Screening process concluded

<p dir=ltr>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.…

Address of the Prime Minister of Iceland at official ceremonies on the parliament square Austurvöllur, 17 June 2011

<p>“It will take more than empty words to put Iceland back on its feet, it will take energy, thrift, foresight and persistence.”</p>

Letter of Credentials presented to president of Mongolia

Kristín A. Árnadottir, Ambassador of Iceland, presented a Letter of Credentials to the President of Mongolia, H.E.…

Treasury finances January - April 2011

<p>Statistics for Treasury finances in January - April 2011 are now available.</p>