Foreign relations of Iceland explained

Iceland took control of its foreign affairs in 1918 when it became a sovereign country, the Kingdom of Iceland, in a personal union with the King of Denmark. As a fully independent state, Iceland could have joined the League of Nations in 1920, but chose not to do so for cost reasons. It negotiated with Denmark to initially carry out most of its foreign relations, while maintaining full control. Denmark appointed a diplomatic envoy (Ambassador) to Iceland in 1919 and Iceland reciprocated in 1920, opening an Embassy in Copenhagen. Iceland established its own Foreign Service in April 1940[1] when Denmark became occupied by Nazi Germany and ties between the two countries were severed. The Republic of Iceland was founded in 1944. The Icelandic foreign service grew slowly in the post-WWII period, but increased rapidly after the mid-1990s. Iceland's closest relations are with the Nordic states, the European Union and the United States.[2] Iceland has been a member of the United Nations since 1946. Iceland was a founding member of the World Bank in 1946 and NATO in 1949. In terms of European integration, Iceland was a founding member of the OEEC (now OECD) in 1948 and the Nordic Council in 1952, it joined EFTA in 1970, was a founding member of the CSCE (now OSCE) in 1973 and the EEA in 1992 and joined Schengen in 1996.[3]

From 1951 to 2006, there was an American military base and troop presence in Iceland.[4] During the Cold War, Iceland had a close but contentious relationship with the United States, leading some scholars to describe Iceland as a "rebellious ally" and "reluctant ally."[2] Iceland repeatedly threatened to leave NATO or cancel the US defence agreement during the Cold War.[2] As a consequence, the United States provided Iceland with extensive economic assistance and diplomatic support.[2] Iceland hosted the historic 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Reykjavík, which set the stage for the end of the Cold War.

Fishing rights

Iceland's principal historical international disputes involved disagreements over fishing rights. Conflict with the United Kingdom led to the so-called Cod Wars in 1952–56 because of the extension of the fishing zone from 3 to 4 nautical miles (6 to 7 km), 1958–61 because of extending the fishing zone to 12 nautical miles (22 km) in 1972–73 because of its further extension to 50 nautical miles (93 km) and in 1975–76 because of its extension to 200 nautical miles (370 km).[5] [6] Disagreements with Norway and Russia over fishing rights in the Barents Sea were successfully resolved in 2000.

Whaling

Certain environmentalists are concerned that Iceland left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in June 1992 in protest of an IWC decision to refuse to lift the ban on whaling, after the IWC Scientific Committee had determined that the taking of certain species could safely be resumed. That year, Iceland established a separate commission – along with Norway, Greenland and the Faroe Islands – for the conservation, management, and study of marine mammals. Since then, Iceland has resumed whaling for scientific purpose and has rejoined the IWC (in October 2002). The Icelandic Fisheries Ministry issued a permit to hunt 39 whales for commercial purposes on 17 October 2006.[7] 25 states delivered a formal diplomatic protest to the Icelandic government on 1 November concerning resumed commercial whaling. The protest was led by the United Kingdom and supported by others such as Finland and Sweden.[8]

Recognition of post-Soviet states

Iceland was the first country to recognize the regained independence of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan from the USSR in 1990–1991. Similarly, it was the first country to recognize Montenegro's independence from its former union with Serbia.[9] Iceland was also the first country to recognize Croatia, having done so on 19 December 1991.[10] Significantly, Iceland was also the first Western state to recognise Palestine when it did so in 2011.[11] Iceland also is the greatest Nordic contributor per capita to NATO-led troops in Bosnia and Kosovo, to the police in Bosnia and to Bosnian/Kosovan reconstruction, resettlement and relief efforts.

Membership in international organizations

Iceland is a member of the following organisations: North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe; International Criminal Court; International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; International Development Association; International Finance Corporation; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; European Economic Area; European Free Trade Association; Council of Europe; International Criminal Police Organization; and the United Nations, since 19 November 1946, and most of its specialized agencies, including the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Labour Organization, International Maritime Organization, International Telecommunication Union, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Universal Postal Union, World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization and the International Whaling Commission.

Iceland was given the opportunity to join the League of Nations in 1920, but opted not to, primarily due to limited administrative resources.[12] Iceland joined the UN in 1945 but took until 1965 to establish a permanent mission.[13]

In the IMF, Iceland is in the Nordic-Baltic constituency of the 24-member executive board of the IMF, along with Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.[14]

International disputes

Rockall

See main article: Rockall. Iceland has an ongoing dispute with Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands) on the one hand and with the UK and Ireland on the other hand, concerning claims to the continental shelf in the Hatton–Rockall area of the North Atlantic under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982).[15] Iceland's claim covers virtually the entire area claimed by the other three countries, except for a small portion in the south-east corner of the Irish claim,[16] while the Faroes claim most of the area claimed by the UK and Ireland.[17] Negotiations continue between the four countries in the hope of making a joint proposal to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf by May 2009.

Deposit insurance

See main article: Icesave dispute. Following the collapse of Icesave sparking the 2008–2011 Icelandic financial crisis, the U.K. and the Netherlands offered to insure the deposits of the bank's customers. They then sought repayment from Iceland, which held a referendum on the issue in 2010 and 2011, both of which failed. The two governments then said they would take the issue to European courts to seek redress they alleged is owed to them. In January 2013 the EFTA court cleared Iceland of all charges.

European Union application

See main article: Enlargement of the European Union.

Iceland has had a close relationship with the European Union (EU) throughout its development, but has remained outside (instead, joining the European Free Trade Area or EFTA). In 1972, the two sides signed a free trade agreement and in 1994 Iceland joined the European Economic Area which let itself and other non-EU states have access to the EU's internal market in exchange for Iceland contributing funds and applying EU law in relevant areas. The EU is Iceland's most important trading partner with a strong trade surplus in 2008/9 in terms of goods, services and foreign direct investment. Iceland also participates in the Schengen Area (as well as relevant police and judicial cooperation) and has non-voting representation in some EU agencies.[18] [19]

However, after Iceland's financial crash in 2008, it has sought membership of the EU and the euro. Iceland applied on 16 July 2009 and negotiations formally began 17 June 2011.[20] After an agreement is concluded, the accession treaty must be ratified by every EU state and be subject to a national referendum in Iceland.[21] Since the application was submitted, popular support has declined and contentious issues around Icelandic fisheries may derail negotiations. However the Icelandic government is confident an agreement can be reached based on the flexibility shown by the EU in its previous negotiations with Norway.[22]

In 2014, Iceland froze their application to join the European Union.[23]

Agreed Minute

See main article: Agreed Minute.

The Agreed Minute was a statute governing the nature of the U.S. military presence in Iceland. The Agreed Minute was last renegotiated in 2001. At the time, the U.S. Air Force committed itself to maintaining four to six interceptors at the Keflavík base, supported by a helicopter rescue squad. The Air Force, in order to cut costs, announced plans to remove the four remaining jets in 2003. The removal was then delayed to address Icelandic demands for continued presence of the jets. After an unfruitful series of negotiations and two reshuffles of the Icelandic government the issue lay dormant until early 2006 when the U.S. Air Force issued an official statement that withdrawal of the aircraft was already being prepared. U.S. officials have since then argued that Iceland is in no need of a military presence.

NATO allies since then conduct air policing after the U.S. Air Force withdrawal.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Iceland maintains diplomatic relations with:

CountryDate[24]
1 Denmark
2 United Kingdom
3 Sweden
4 Norway
5 United States
6
7 Italy
8 Belgium
9 France
10 Netherlands
11 Czech Republic
12 Poland
13 Canada
14 Switzerland
15 Finland
16 Portugal
17 Ireland
18
19 Spain
20 Israel[25]
21 Argentina[26]
22 Brazil[27]
23 Germany
24 Serbia
25 Hungary
26 Cuba[28]
27 Romania
28 Japan
29 Turkey
30 Greece
31 Luxembourg
32
33 Chile
34 Bulgaria
35 Mexico
36 Austria
37 Peru
38 Egypt
39 Ethiopia
40 Niger
41 Tunisia
42 Nigeria
43 China
44 India
45 Lebanon
46
47
48 Kenya
49 Mongolia
50 Bahamas
51 Thailand
52 Albania
53 Pakistan[29]
54 Ghana
55
56 Cape Verde
57 Bangladesh
58 Iraq
59 Bahrain
60 San Marino
61 Barbados
62 Cyprus
63
64 Nepal
65 Colombia
66 Saudi Arabia
67 Nicaragua
68 Grenada
69 Algeria
70 Indonesia
71 Yemen
72 Lesotho
73 Australia
74 Somalia
75 Morocco
76 Angola
77 Botswana
78 New Zealand
79 Jordan
80 Maldives
81 Seychelles
82 Namibia
83 Uruguay
84 Estonia
85 Latvia
86 Lithuania
87 Liechtenstein
88 Slovenia
89 Oman
90 Ukraine
91 Croatia
92 Georgia
93 Slovakia[30]
94 Marshall Islands
95 Guatemala
96
97
98 South Africa
99
100 Andorra
101 Kuwait
102 Bosnia and Herzegovina
103 Costa Rica
104 Turkmenistan
105 Mozambique
106 Armenia
107 Uzbekistan
108 Azerbaijan
109 Malta
110 Malawi
111 Sri Lanka
112 Malaysia
113 Philippines
114 Singapore
115 Panama
116 Uganda
117 Jamaica
118 El Salvador
119 Kyrgyzstan[31]
120 Belarus
121 Burkina Faso
122 Qatar
123 Sudan
124 Cambodia
125 Dominican Republic
126 United Arab Emirates
127
128 Ecuador
129 Mauritius
130 Nauru
131 Antigua and Barbuda
132 Libya
133 Afghanistan
134 Paraguay
135 Senegal
136 Chad
137 Saint Kitts and Nevis
138
139 Gambia
140 Rwanda
141 Guinea
142 Kazakhstan
143 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
144 Dominica
145 Belize
146 Mali
147 Zambia
148 Papua New Guinea
149
150 Equatorial Guinea
151 Honduras
152
153 Guinea-Bissau
154
155 Vanuatu
156 Eritrea
157 Mauritania
158 Palau
159 Samoa
160 Comoros
161 Suriname
162 Togo
163
164 Benin
165 Guyana
166 Gabon
167 Djibouti
168 Tuvalu
169 Kiribati
170
171 Haiti
172 Tajikistan
173
174 Saint Lucia
175 Madagascar
176 Montenegro
177 Sierra Leone
178 Liberia
179 Burundi
180[32]
181 Solomon Islands
182 Cameroon
183
184 Tonga
185 Fiji
186
187 Myanmar
188 Trinidad and Tobago
189 Monaco
Cook Islands

Bilateral relations

Iceland's first embassy was established in Copenhagen in 1920. The second and third embassies were opened in London and Sweden in 1940. That same year, a consulate-general was installed in New York (a year later, an embassy was opened in Washington D.C.). The Icelandic foreign service grew slowly (both in terms of missions and staff) in the post-WWII period, but increased rapidly after the mid-1990s. The Icelandic foreign service is vastly smaller than those of its Nordic neighbors.

Africa

CountryDiplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes
Burkina Faso2001Burkina Faso is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.[33]
< style="background: silver;" Central African Republic< style="background: silver;" N/A< style="background: silver;" Iceland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Central African Republic.
Djibouti2005
  • Djibouti is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Iceland is accredited to Djibouti from its embassy in Kampala, Uganda.
Kenya1973
  • Iceland is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Kampala, Uganda
  • Kenya is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Malawi1998
  • Iceland has an embassy in Lilongwe.
  • Malawi is accredited to Iceland from its high commission in London.
Mauritania2004
Mozambique1997
  • Iceland is accredited to Mozambique from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík and maintains an honorary consulate in Maputo.
  • Mozambique is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
South Africa1994
  • Iceland is accredited to South Africa from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.
  • South Africa is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
Uganda2000
  • Iceland has an embassy in Kampala.
  • Uganda is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
< style="background: silver;" Zimbabwe< style="background: silver;" N/A< style="background: silver;" Iceland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe.

Americas

CountryDiplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes
Argentina1952
  • Argentina is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Iceland is accredited to Argentina from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík and maintains an honorary consulate Buenos Aires.
Barbados1979Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 April 1979.[35]
Belize2004Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 7 July 2004.[36]
Brazil1952
  • Brazil is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.
  • Iceland is accredited to Brazil from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík and maintains honorary consulates in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Canada1947See Canada–Iceland relations
  • Canada has an embassy in Reykjavík.[37]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Winnipeg.[38]
Chile1963
  • Chile is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Iceland is accredited to Chile from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.
Colombia1981
  • Colombia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Iceland is accredited to Colombia from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.
Cuba1956
  • Cuba is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Iceland is accredited to Cuba from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
Dominica2004
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2004.[39]
  • Iceland is represented in Dominica through its embassy in New York City, United States. Both countries have an agreement on cooperation on geothermal energy.[40]
Guyana2005Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 10 March 2005.[41]
Mexico24 March 1964See Iceland–Mexico relations
  • Iceland is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington D.C., United States and maintains honorary consulates in Campeche City and in Mexico City.[42]
  • Mexico is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[43]
4 June 1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1999.[44] [45]
Paraguay2004
  • Iceland is represented in Paraguay by its embassy in Washington, United States.[46]
  • Paraguay is represented in Iceland by its embassy in London, United Kingdom.[47]
Peru1967
  • Iceland is accredited to Peru from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík and maintains an honorary consulate in Lima.
  • Peru is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines27 May 2004
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 May 2004.[48]
  • Iceland is represented in Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.[49]
Saint Kitts and Nevis2004Iceland is represented in Saint Kitts and Nevis by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.
United States1 July 1941See Iceland–United States relationsIceland and the U.S. are NATO allies. The United States prides itself on being the first country to recognize the regained independence of Iceland.
  • Iceland has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and a consulate-general in New York City.
  • United States has an embassy in Reykjavík.[50]
Uruguay1991
  • Iceland is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • Uruguay is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.

Asia

CountryDiplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes
Armenia
  • Armenia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Iceland is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Moscow, Russia and maintains an honorary consulate in Yerevan.
Azerbaijan1998
  • Azerbaijan is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom.
  • Iceland is accredited to Azerbaijan from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
< style="background: silver;" Bhutan< style="background: silver;" N/A< style="background: silver;" Iceland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Bhutan.
China1971See China–Iceland relations
  • In May 1972, China assigned the first resident ambassador to Iceland.
  • In January 1995, Iceland set up its embassy in Beijing and assigned its first resident ambassador to China.
  • In December 1995, China resumed the practice of sending resident ambassadors to Iceland (between 1983 and 1995, the Chinese ambassador to Copenhagen, Denmark was also accredited to Iceland).
  • In April 2013 Iceland entered into a free trade agreement with China.[51]
  • Iceland has an honorary consulate in Hong Kong. The honorary consulate is also accredited to Macao.[52]
Georgia21 September 1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1992.
India1972See Iceland–India relations
  • India has an embassy in Reykjavík.
  • Iceland has an embassy in New Delhi and two consulates in Mumbai and Chennai.
Indonesia1983Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.[53]
1948
  • Iceland is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Oslo.[54]
  • Iran is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo.[55]
IsraelMay 1948See Iceland–Israel relations
  • Iceland is accredited to Israel directly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and maintains an honorary consulate in Tel Aviv.[56]
  • Israel is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[57]
Japan8 December 1956See Iceland–Japan relations
Mongolia1974Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1974.[59]
Nepal1981Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 1981.[60]
1976Pakistan maintain cordinal diplomatic relations with Iceland.[61]
2011See Iceland–Palestine relationsOn 29 November 2011, the parliament of Iceland passed a resolution that authorized the government to officially recognize the state of Palestine within the 1967 borders.As of 15 July 2013, Iceland is the first and only Western European country to recognise the independence of Palestine. Full diplomatic relations exist between the two states. Iceland's representative to Palestine is a non-resident based at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík, while Palestine's ambassador to Iceland is also a non-resident based in Oslo, Norway.[62]
24 February 1999

See main article: Iceland–Philippines relations. Iceland has its representation in the Philippines through its embassy in Tokyo, Japan, and the Philippines' ambassador in Oslo, Norway is also accredited to Iceland; although both countries established honorary consulates in Reykjavík[63] and Makati, Metro Manila,[64] respectively.

Singapore1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 May 1999.[65]
10 October 1962[66] See Iceland–South Korea relations
  • The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Iceland and the Republic of Korea began on 10 October 1962.
  • The Republic of Iceland and the Republic of Korea relations are primarily based on cooperation over maritime issues such as whaling and bottom trawling and on bi-lateral trade in technology and fish products although there are various other ways in which the two countries interact.
Turkey1957See Iceland–Turkey relations
  • Turkish Embassy in Oslo is accredited to Iceland, while the Icelandic Embassy in Copenhagen is accredited to Turkey.[67]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Turkmenistan13 February 1997Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 February 1997.[68]
Uzbekistan25 September 1997Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 September 1997.[69]

Europe

CountryDiplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes
Albania1976
  • Iceland is represented in Albania through its embassy in Stockholm and an honorary consulate in Tirana.[70]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Andorra1995Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1995.[71]
Austria1928
Belarus2001
  • Iceland is represented in Belarus through its embassy in Moscow and an honorary consulate in Minsk.
Belgium1945
  • Belgium is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo and an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[73]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Brussels.[74]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Bulgaria1963
  • Iceland is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Sofia.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Croatia1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 June 1992.[75] [76]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Cyprus1979
  • Cyprus is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.[77]
  • Iceland is represented in Cyprus by its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[78]
Czech Republic1993-01-01See Czech Republic–Iceland relations
  • The Czech Republic is represented in Iceland through an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.
  • Iceland is represented in the Czech Republic through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and through an honorary consulate in Prague.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Denmark1918See Denmark–Iceland relations

Iceland was a part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1918 and a separate kingdom in a personal union with Denmark until 1944, when Iceland declared independence.

Estonia1991
  • Iceland is represented in Estonia through its embassy in Helsinki and an honorary consulate in Tallinn.
  • Iceland was the first country to recognize Estonia's independence in 1991.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Finland1947See Finland–Iceland relations
France1945See France–Iceland relations
  • France has an embassy in Reykjavík.[83]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Paris.[84]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Germany1952See Germany–Iceland relations
Greece1958See Greece–Iceland relations
  • Greece is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo (Norway) and through an honorary consulate in Reykjavík. Iceland is represented in Greece through its embassy in Oslo (Norway) and through an honorary consulate in Athens.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Hungary1955Hungary is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Oslo, Norway.[87]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Ireland11 March 1948See Iceland–Ireland relations
  • Iceland is represented in Ireland through its embassy in London (United Kingdom) and through an honorary consulate in Dublin.[88]
  • Ireland is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Copenhagen (Denmark) and through an honorary consulate in Garðabær.[89]
  • Both countries are full members of Council of Europe.
Italy1945
Latvia1991-08-22See Iceland–Latvia relations
  • Iceland was the first country to recognise the independence of Latvia in August 1991.
  • Iceland is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Helsinki (Finland).
  • Latvia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo (Norway) and an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Lithuania1991-08-05
Malta3 July 1998Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 1998.[96]
1995Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 May 1995.[97]
Montenegro2006Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 2006.[98]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Netherlands1946
1993
  • Iceland is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Vienna, Austria.[101]
  • North Macedonia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in London, England,[102] and an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[103]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Norway1940See Iceland–Norway relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Oslo.[104]
  • Norway has an embassy in Reykjavík.[105]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
PolandJanuary 1946See Iceland–Poland relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Warsaw.[106]
  • Poland has an embassy in Reykjavík.[107]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Romania1956
  • Iceland is represented in Romania through its embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Bucharest.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
1943See Iceland–Russia relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Moscow.[108]
  • Russia has an embassy in Reykjavík.[109]
  • Both countries have close ties in financing, which has strengthened the relations between the two.[110] Iceland also called Russia as its "new friend" after having been turned down by its traditional allies for an emergency loan to boost the balance sheet of its second largest commercial bank.[111]
  • On August 1, 2023, Iceland suspended its embassy operations in Moscow.[112]
Serbia2000
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 2000.[113]
  • A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded and are in force between both countries.[114]
Spain1949See Iceland–Spain relations
  • Iceland is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Sweden1940See Iceland–Sweden relations
  • The governments of Iceland and Sweden signed on 23 March 1921 a joint declaration for the protection of trade marks.[115]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Stockholm.[116]
  • Sweden has an embassy in Reykjavík.[117]
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
Switzerland1947
  • Iceland has an embassy in Geneva (which is accredited to Switzerland and to the United Nations).
  • Switzerland is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo and through an honorary consulate in Reykjavík
  • Both countries are members of Council of Europe and the European Free Trade Association.
  • See also: Swisses in Iceland and Icelandics in Switzerland
Ukraine1992See Iceland–Ukraine relations
United Kingdom1940See Iceland–United Kingdom relations

Iceland established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 8 May 1940.

The UK occupied Iceland from 10 May 1940 until July 1941, when the United States assumed responsibility of the country.[122]

The two countries have a sovereignty dispute over the Rockall Bank.

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[123] Council of Europe, Joint Expeditionary Force, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a free trade agreement.[124]

Oceania

CountryDiplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes
Australia1984
  • Australia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Iceland is accredited to Australia from its embassy in Beijing, China.
Marshall Islands25 January 1993Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1993.[125]
2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 2004.[126]
New Zealand1988
  • Iceland is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Beijing, China and maintains honorary consulates in Auckland and Nelson.[127]
  • New Zealand is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.
Samoa2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 2004.[128]

See also

Further reading

External links

Foreign representations in Iceland

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 80th anniversary of the Icelandic Foreign Service. government.is. en-US. live. https://archive.today/20200409154227/https://www.government.is/news/article/2020/04/09/80th-anniversary-of-the-Icelandic-Foreign-Service/. 9 April 2020. 2020-04-09.
  2. Book: The Rebellious Ally: Iceland, the United States, and the Politics of Empire 1945-2006. 9789089790699. Ingimundarson. Valur. 2011. Republic of Letters .
  3. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-agreement/#:~:text=Since%20then%2C%20the%20Schengen%20Area,new%20five%20countries%20to%20join History of the Schengen Agreement
  4. News: Return to Keflavik Station. Petursson. Gustav. 24 February 2016. Foreign Affairs. 24 December 2018. Winger. Gregory. 0015-7120.
  5. GuÐmundsson. GuÐmundur J.. 1 June 2006. The Cod and the Cold War. Scandinavian Journal of History. 31. 2. 97–118. 10.1080/03468750600604184. 143956818. 0346-8755.
  6. Steinsson. Sverrir. 22 March 2016. The Cod Wars: a re-analysis. European Security. 25. 2. 256–275. 10.1080/09662839.2016.1160376. 155242560. 0966-2839.
  7. Web site: Iceland resumes commercial whaling. Greenpeace International. 17 October 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061030181624/http://oceans.greenpeace.org/en/the-expedition/news/iceland-resumes-commercial-wha. 30 October 2006. dead.
  8. News: Iceland rapped over whale hunting. BBC. 2 November 2006 . 1 November 2006.
  9. Web site: Vlada Crne Gore. gov.me.
  10. Web site: Važniji datumi iz povijesti saborovanja. Hrvatski Sabor. 23 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20130520072524/http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?art=1769&sec=461. 20 May 2013. dead.
  11. News: Iceland recognises Palestinian state. Associated Press. 30 November 2011. The Guardian. 0261-3077. 1 May 2016.
  12. Book: Jóhannesson, Guðni Th.. Fyrstu forsetarnir. 2016.
  13. Web site: Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs. 2018. Thorhallsson. Baldur. Routledge. 108–113.
  14. Woods. Ngaire. Lombardi. Domenico. 2006. Uneven patterns of governance: how developing countries are represented in the IMF. Review of International Political Economy. 13. 3. 480–515. 10.1080/09692290600769351. 154895221. 0969-2290.
  15. News: John . Ross . Why a barren rock in the Atlantic is the focus of an international battle of wills . The Scotsman . 27 September 2007 . 27 September 2007.
  16. http://www.reglugerd.is/interpro/dkm/WebGuard.nsf/key2/196-1985 Regulation 196/1985
  17. Source: Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
  18. http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/iceland/ Iceland
  19. http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iceland/index_en.htm Iceland
  20. http://europe.mfa.is/phase1/timeline/ Timeline of events – Iceland's application for membership of the EU
  21. http://europe.mfa.is/phase-3---ratification-process/ratification-process/ National Referendum – Iceland's application for membership of the EU
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