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10 July 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Land restoration to be part of new UN development agenda

Foreign Minister  Sveinsson discussed desertification, land degradation and drought at the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the new development framework.

26 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister in China to promote trade

Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson is currently visiting China, accompanied by a trade delegation representing Icelandic Business and Industry.

24 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Presentation for EU Ambassadors 16 June 2014

A few comments on Foreign Policy issues by Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson

24 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland Supports Ukrainian Peace Plan

Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson welcomes the Peace Plan by the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko

11 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Tomas Heidar elected judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Mr. Heidar will join the Tribunal on 1 October 2014 for a nine-year term. He has been Legal Adviser since 1996 and is also the Director of the Law of the Sea Institute of Iceland.

10 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Increased cooperation between Iceland and Maine

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Paul LePage, Governor of Maine signed today a MoU between Iceland and Maine, paving the way for increased cooperation in the fields of business cooperation and development, transport and logistics and culture.

03 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign minister meets with Poland‘s  deputy prime minister

At the ministers‘ meeting in Warsaw, ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two states by means of EEA Grants were discussed, especially in the field of geothermal energy.

02 June 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland‘s experience of land restoration can prove useful

Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification met with foreign minister, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson. 

30 May 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Free trade agreement between Iceland and China to enter into force on 1 July 2014

The central aim of the Iceland-China free trade agreement is to promote trade by abolishing tariffs on imports and to further enhance economic ties between the two countries

28 April 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Nordic Foreign Ministers meet in Iceland

Iceland‘s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, will host a Nordic Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Reykholt on 29–30 April.

09 April 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Overseas absentee voting for the Local Government Elections

Overseas absentee voting for the Local Government Elections of 31 May 2014 will begin on 7 April and ballots can be cast in all Icelandic embassies abroad and in the offices of consuls-general.

26 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister Sveinsson meets with Norwegian Minister of EEA and EU Affairs

The  Foreign  Minister  of  Iceland,  Mr.  Gunnar  Bragi Sveinsson, and the Minister  of EEA and EU Affairs of Norway, Mr. Vidar Helgesen, met today in Reykjavík.

20 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister's report on Foreign Policy and International Affairs to Parliament

Today Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, submitted his report on Foreign Policy and International Affairs to Althingi.

14 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister expresses concerns over illegitimate referendum in Crimea

The Government of Iceland supports the statement made by the EU and G-7 states calling on the Russian Federation to cease support for the forthcoming referendum as it contravenes international agreements and does not uphold basic standards for democratic elections.

13 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Serious concerns regarding how agreement on mackerel was reached

By exceeding  the recommendations made by ICES, Iceland believes the agreement jeopardizes sustainable use of the mackerel stock

11 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Icelandic Government's policy priorities on Europe

The new policy prioritises efficient implementation of the EEA Agreement, continued active relations with the EU and its Member States and Iceland's earlier involvement in the shaping of EU rules

07 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland participates in OSCE‘s mission to Ukraine

Mr Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has decided to deploy an Icelandic civilian delegate to participate in a visit to Ukraine organised by the OSCE participating states upon a request from authorities in Kiev. The OSCE team consists of 43 representatives from 23 OSCE participating nations. 

03 March 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Condemnation of military activity in Crimea 

Icelandic authorities strongly emphasize that Russian military activities in Ukraine must cease without delay and international law must be respected, says Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson.

25 February 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Parliamentary proposal on withdrawal of Iceland's EU application

A proposal has been put forward in Parliament on the withdrawal of Iceland‘s application for accession to the European Union and on entrusting the Government with strengthening cooperation with the EU and the European states

24 February 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister deplores signing of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, deplores that the President of Uganda has signed an Anti-Homosexuality Bill which further criminalizes homosexuality and makes it punishable by up to life imprisonment.

20 February 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Alarm at the situation in Ukraine

Iceland joins other participating States of the OSCE, including member states of the European Union, in expressing alarm at the situation in Ukraine

18 February 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Assessment of the status of EU accession negotiations

The Institute of Economic Studies at the University of Iceland has now delivered its report on the assessment of the status of accession negotiations between Iceland and the European Union and developments within the EU.

12 February 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Joint meeting of Nordic Foreign and Defence Ministers in Keflavík

The discussions focused on recent developments in the Nordic security cooperation, practical cooperation in the Arctic, NATO partnerships as well as cooperation in international crisis management.

30 January 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Parliament adopts Iceland-China Free Trade Agreement

The Free Trade Agreement will enter into force when legal procedures of acceptance in both countries have been concluded.

28 January 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Cooperation with the Fulbright Commission in Arctic studies

Through this agreement the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will fund US scholars to teach and conduct research in Arctic issues at Icelandic universities over the next three years.

08 January 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Nordic Playlist: The new path to Nordic music

A new online platform compiling the most influential and cutting edge music from the Nordic countries was launched this week on the web. The Nordic Playlist is supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers, chaired in 2014 by Iceland.

08 January 2014Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Nordic solidarity in a changing world

A joint article by Foreign Ministers Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson of Iceland and Erkki Tuomioja of Finland on Nordic Security and co-operation, published in Fréttablaðið and Turun Sanomat.

01 December 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Government Action Plan for Household Debt Relief

The Icelandic government yesterday announced an action plan aimed at reducing the country's housing debt. Firstly, the principal of indexed housing mortgages is to be written down and, secondly, tax breaks are proposed for private pension savings contributions originating after the action is implemented.…

20 November 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

EEA extended to Croatia

Agreed minutes were signed in Brussels today, to mark the conclusion of an agreement on Croatia's membership of the EEA  The agreement will enter into force once legal procedures are completed by EU and Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein

29 October 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Launch of Iceland‘s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014

Emphasis on green growth and sustainable development, creative industries and the Nordic welfare system.

18 October 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Statement by the Foreign Minister on enlargement

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, MInister for Foreign Affairs, does not fully share EU Commissioner Fule's assessment on how far the accession negotiations had progressed when they were put on hold.

14 October 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Challenging policy question to seek balance between conservation and utilization in the Arctic

The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, addressed the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik today where he gave a broad overview of Iceland´s priorities and the future of Arctic cooperation

02 October 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Responsibility to ensure protection of human rights rests with politicians, says Minister at UNGA

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, addressed the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 30 September 2013

26 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister on a new UN Development Framework

Iceland‘s Foreign Minister, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, took part in yesterday‘s special event on achieving the Millienum Development goals and on a new development framework, at the UN General Assembly

20 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister welcomes chair of NATO's Military Committee

Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson met yesterday with General Knud Bartels, chairman of NATO‘s Military Committee. At the meeting they discussed the future of the Alliance, the Middle East, NATO air surveillance missions in Iceland, cyber-security and security in the Arctic.

19 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister discusses trade, security and the Arctic during Canada visit

Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson visited Ottawa Canada on 17-18 September where he met with Canadian officials and representatives of the Canadian business community. The visit is in keeping with the Icelandic Government's emphasis on strengthening the transatlantic relationship

17 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister welcomes agreement on the destruction of chemical weapons

Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson welcomes the agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation on the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.

12 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

EU Membership application discussed in Parliament

The Icelandic Government has a positive and ambitious vision on European issues and wishes to strenghten its relations with the EU without becoming member of the Union, according to Mr Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in his oral statement on the EU membership application to the Parliament today.

11 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland increases assistance to Syrian refugees

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has contributed 50 thousand USD to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, towards their Regional Response Plan for Syrian refugees.

03 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland Chairs Open Skies Consultative Commission

Yesterday, Iceland assumed Chairmanship in the Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC), based in Vienna. A total of 34 states are parties to the Open Skies Treaty (OST), negotiated in 1992, including the United States, Russia, Canada and several European states.

03 September 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

International community must act on Syria

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, today took part in a meeting of the Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers in Visby in Sweden. After the meeting the eight ministers expressed grave concern over the use of chemical weapons in Syria

22 August 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Government of Iceland deplores the loss of life and condemns all acts of violence in Egypt

The Government of Iceland deplores the loss of life witnessed in recent weeks in Egypt and has urged the Egyptian Government to do everything possible to prevent further bloodshed. Iceland condems all acts of violence.

16 August 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Statement by the Government of Iceland on EU threats against the Faroe Islands and Iceland 

Iceland is a major stakeholder in relation to the management of various shared fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic. Icelandic fisheries management policy has for many years assured the sustainable utilisation of marine resources, unlike the EU common fisheries policy.

02 July 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Ban Ki-moon visits Iceland, meets with Foreign Minister

The meeting marked the start of the UN Secretary General's official visit to Iceland. Sustainable use of resources and the impact of climate changes were among issues discussed.

02 July 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland first country to ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Foreign Minister of Iceland, announced today that Iceland had ratified the new UN Arms Trade Treaty, ATT, the first country to ratify this important treat

26 June 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister meets with German counterpart in Berlin

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Foreign Minister of Iceland, met today  with German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle. In their meeting, the ministers discussed Arctic and security issues, EU and free trade.

25 June 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland to open Consulate General in Nuuk on 1 July

The main role of the Consulate will be to strengthen the business connection between Iceland and Greenland, to increase cultural relations and tasks related to Artic cooperation.

24 June 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland elected to FAO Council 2014-2017

Iceland was elected Friday as a member nation to the Food and Agriculture Organization Council, FAO, for 2014 – 2017.

21 June 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Electronic publication: Gender Equality in Iceland's Development Cooperation and Iceland´s second NAP on implementing UNSCR 1325

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published two new policy documents; Gender Equality in Iceland´s Development Cooperation and a National Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325. Both documents are formulated in line with the Strategy for Iceland´s Development Cooperation 2013-2016, where gender equality and women´s empowerment is emphasised.

20 June 2013Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Minister Sveinsson meets with UK's Minister for Europe

Foreign minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson met yesterday with UK's Minister for Europe, David Lidington. Minister Sveinsson explained the Icelandic Government's decision to put further accession negotiations with the European Union on hold, and what that entails.  Mr.…

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Land restoration to be part of new UN development agenda

Foreign Minister in China to promote trade

Presentation for EU Ambassadors 16 June 2014

Iceland Supports Ukrainian Peace Plan

Tomas Heidar elected judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Increased cooperation between Iceland and Maine

Foreign minister meets with Poland‘s &nbsp;deputy prime minister

Iceland‘s experience of land restoration can prove useful

Free trade agreement between Iceland and China to enter into force on 1 July 2014

Nordic Foreign Ministers meet in Iceland

Overseas absentee voting for the Local Government Elections

Minister Sveinsson meets with Norwegian Minister of EEA and EU Affairs

Minister's report on Foreign Policy and International Affairs to Parliament

Foreign Minister expresses concerns over illegitimate referendum in Crimea

Serious concerns regarding how agreement on mackerel was reached

The Icelandic Government's policy priorities on Europe

Iceland participates in OSCE‘s mission to Ukraine

Condemnation of military activity in Crimea&nbsp;

Parliamentary proposal on withdrawal of Iceland's EU application

Foreign Minister deplores signing of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Alarm at the situation in Ukraine

Assessment of the status of EU accession negotiations

Joint meeting of Nordic Foreign and Defence Ministers in Keflavík

Parliament adopts Iceland-China Free Trade Agreement

Cooperation with the Fulbright Commission in Arctic studies

Nordic Playlist: The new path to Nordic music

Nordic solidarity in a changing world

Government Action Plan for Household Debt Relief

EEA extended to Croatia

Launch of Iceland‘s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014

Statement by the Foreign Minister on enlargement

Challenging policy question to seek balance between conservation and utilization in the Arctic

Responsibility to ensure protection of human rights rests with politicians, says Minister at UNGA

Foreign Minister on a new UN Development Framework

Minister welcomes chair of NATO's Military Committee

Foreign Minister discusses trade, security and the Arctic during Canada visit

Foreign Minister welcomes agreement on the destruction of chemical weapons

EU Membership application discussed in Parliament

Iceland increases assistance to Syrian refugees

Iceland Chairs Open Skies Consultative Commission

International community must act on Syria

The Government of Iceland deplores the loss of life and condemns all acts of violence in Egypt

Statement by the Government of Iceland on EU threats against the Faroe Islands and Iceland&nbsp;

Ban Ki-moon visits Iceland, meets with Foreign Minister

Iceland first country to ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty

Foreign Minister meets with German counterpart in Berlin

Iceland to open Consulate General in Nuuk on 1 July

Iceland elected to FAO Council 2014-2017

Electronic publication: Gender Equality in Iceland's Development Cooperation and Iceland´s second NAP on implementing UNSCR 1325

Minister Sveinsson meets with UK's Minister for Europe

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Foreign minister meets with Poland‘s deputy prime minister

Condemnation of military activity in Crimea

Statement by the Government of Iceland on EU threats against the Faroe Islands and Iceland