News

Icelandic Foreign Minister meets with British and Dutch counterparts

<p>Ossur Skarphedinsson, David Miliband and Maxime Verhagen discussed the Icesave issue on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.</p>

Icelandic State Banking Agency (ISBA) commences operation

The Minister of Finance has appointed the Board of Directors of ISBA which has now formally commenced its operation.

Foreign Minister attending UN General Assembly

<p>Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, will address the General Assembly on Saturday, 26 September</p>

Icelandic Foreign Minister meets with IMF chief

<p>Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the IMF in New York</p>

Spanish Foreign Minister says Iceland has much to contribute in the EU

Iceland&#39;s Foreign Minister, Ossur Skarphedinsson, met with his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos, yesterday evening at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Agreement between the Government of Iceland and the Resolution Committee of Glitnir finalised

The Government of Iceland announces the signing of definitive agreements with the Resolution Committee of Glitnir regarding the capitalisation of Islandsbanki and the basis for compensation to Glitnir and its creditors following the creation of Islandsbanki in October 2008.

EU questionnaire for Iceland made public

A questionnaire, presented yesterday by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, to the Icelandic Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, has been made public. The questionnaire includes 2,500 questions in 33 chapters.

OECD Economic Surveys: Iceland 2009

Last week OECD announced its 2009 economic survey on Icelandic economy.

Agreement between The Government of Iceland and the Resolution Committee of Kaupthing finalised

The Government of Iceland announces the signing of definitive agreements with the Resolution Committee of Kaupthing regarding the capitalisation of New Kaupthing and the basis for the compensation following the creation of New Kaupthing in October 2008

Parliament approves state guarantee for Icesave loans

Today, following 10 weeks of debate, Iceland&#39;s Parliament, the Althing passed legislation authorising a state guarantee for the loans granted by the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to the Depositors&#39; and Investors&#39; Guarantee Fund of Iceland.

Treasury finances January-July 2009

Figures for Treasury finances in the first seven months of 2009 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 227 billion, decreasing by -37 billion or -14.2%

Investigating possible legal action for damages

At its meeting this morning, the cabinet approved a proposal from the Minister of Finance to set up a working group to investigate the possibility of the state bringing suit against those individuals and legal entities which can be shown to have caused financial damage to the Icelandic state and general public through their actions in the period leading up to and during the banks&rsquo; collapse.

Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers meet in Iceland

Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, chaired an annual meeting of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers in Iceland

Joint declaration of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers

<p></p> <p></p> <p>The Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers call upon the Sri Lankan Government to solve the humanitarian crisis</p>

NATO Secretary General visits Iceland

First visit of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, new Secretary General, to a NATO member country.

ACI ranks Keflavik International Airport first class

The Airports Council International surveys the quality and passenger services of 127 different major international airports.

Capitalisation of Islandsbanki and New Kaupthing and update regarding Landsbanki

<p>Press release nr. 56/2009</p> <p>The Government of Iceland is pleased to announce that it has committed to capitalise Islandsbanki and New Kaupthing on the basis of compensation agreements which are in the process of being finalised with the Resolution Committees of Glitnir and Kaupthing.</p>

Treasury finances January-June 2009

Figures for Treasury finances in the first sixmonths of 2009 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 205 billion, decreasing by 21 billion or -9.2%

Chronicle of economic events 2009

Open debate in the Security Council on "Women and peace and security" and Security Council resolution 1820

<p align=left>Statement by Mr. Jón Erlingur Jónasson, Deputy Permanent Representative.</p> <p></p>

PTA has published its annual report for 2008

The Post and Telecom Administration in Iceland has published its Annual Report for 2008.

Passenger numbers at Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal in July 2009

Passengers passing through Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal decreased by approximately 13% in July 2009 compared to same month last year, or from 293,000 to 254,000.

Postponement of review of Economic programme in cooperation with IMF

The Board of the IMF has decided to postpone its discussion of the review of the Economic programme between Iceland and the fund. The discussion had been scheduled for August 3, 2009.

Prime Minister's statement on the postponement of IMF board decision

Statement by Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, regarding postponement of the Executive Board of the review of the Economic Recovery Programme agreed by Iceland and the IMF:

French Minister for European Affairs visits Iceland

<p dir="ltr">Pierre Lellouche French Minister for European Affairs and Icelandic Foreign Minister discuss Iceland's EU application.</p>

Measures to achieve a balance in fiscal finances 2009-2013

<p>Revisions of calculations and coordination with IMF.</p>

Skarphedinsson welcomes decision of EU Foreign Ministers

Foreign Ministers of the EU have invited the Commission to prepare an opinion on Iceland&#39;s preparedness to enter negotiations on accession.

Iceland submits formal EU application in Stockholm

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson submitted today a formal application for accession to the EU to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in Stockholm.

Lithuanian Parliament supports Iceland's EU application

The Lithuanian Parliament, Seimas, agreed today on a parliamentary resolution welcoming and supporting Iceland&rsquo;s decision to apply for accession to the European Union and inviting other EU member states to support the application.

Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Sweden meet in Stockholm

Ossur Skarphedinsson will formally hand over Iceland&#39;s EU application at a meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.

Capitalisation of the three principal Icelandic commercial banks and basis of agreement with creditors

The Government of Iceland is pleased to announce that it has determined the basis for the capitalisation of the three new banks (Islandsbanki, New Kaupthing and New Landsbanki) created following the collapse of the main Icelandic commercial banks in October 2008.

Capitalisation and compensation agreement between the Government of Iceland and the Resolution Comittee of Glitnir

The Government of Iceland and the Resolution Committee of Glitnir are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached in respect of the initial capitalisation of Islandsbanki and the basis for the compensation payable to the creditors of Glitnir following the creation of Islandsbanki in October 2008.

Capitalisation and compensation agreement between the Government of Iceland and the Resolution Comittee of Kaupthing

The Government of Iceland and the Resolution Committee of Kaupthing are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached in respect of the initial capitalisation of New Kaupthing and the basis for the compensation payable between the two parties following the creation of New Kaupthing in October 2008.

Capitalisation and compensation agreement on process between the Government of Iceland and the Resolution Comittee of Landsbanki

The Government of Iceland and the Resolution Committee of Landsbanki have reached agreement in relation to a process by which compensation payable to the creditors of Landsbanki arising from the creation of New Landsbanki in October 2008 will be agreed.

Icelandic Parliament votes in favour of applying for membership of the EU - Statement by the Prime Minister of Iceland

A historical decision Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir says in her statement. Application to be expected in the coming days.

Negotiations between the state and the resolution committees of the new banks nearing conclusion

The Government is planning to make an official announcement on Monday 20 June on the conclusion of the negotiations and how the three new banks will be capitalised.

Iceland submits an application for accession to the EU

An advanced copy of Iceland&#39;s application for accession to the European Union has been submitted to the Swedish government, which currently holds the EU Presidency

Iceland's Parliament votes in favour of applying for EU membership

The Parliament of Iceland voted today in favour of applying for membership of the European Union. This follows a resolution proposal submitted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs

Background information on Nordic loans to Iceland

Loan agreements were signed on 1 July in Stockholm between Iceland and its four Nordic neighbours.

Opening Speech of H.E. Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson

Opening Speech of H.E. Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, at an International Conference in Reykjavik on UNSC 1325

Treasury finances January-May 2009

Figures for Treasury finances in the first five months of 2009 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 172 billion, decreasing by 22 billion or -11.5%

Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden: Joint press release on Nordic credits to Iceland

Loan agreements have today been signed between Iceland and Denmark, Finland and Sweden respectively, and between Seðlabanki Íslands, guaranteed by Iceland and Norges Bank, guaranteed by Norway.

The World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development

<p align=justify>Statement by Mr. Emil Breki Hreggvidsson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations.</p>

Prime Minister appoints new Governor and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iceland

The Prime Minister has appointed Már Guðmundsson as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, and Arnór Sighvatsson to be his Deputy. Már will take over the helm on August 20, starting his term of five years.

Stability Pact signed

The Social partners from government, municipalities, Labour Unions and Employer&#39;s associations have reached an agreement on a Stability Pact. ,,Extremely important" the Prime Minister stated at the signing ceremony.

Measures to achieve a balance in fiscal finances 2009-2013: Revisions of calculations and coordination with IMF

Energy, Efficiency, Energy Conservation and New and Renwable Sources of Energy

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

Tenth Meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea

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

Landsvirkjun enters into a Response Agreement with the Icelandic State

Because of the uncertainities in the financial markets, Landsvirkjun and the Icelandic state have entered ito a response agreement.

Prime Ministers Address to the nation on June 17, the National Day of Iceland

The Prime Minister addressed the nation on June 17, the National Day of Iceland at Austurvollur outside Parliament. In this annual address the Prime Minister discussed the current economic situation and the future of independence in an ever more interdependent world.