Iceland–Ireland relations explained

Iceland–Ireland relations are the bilateral relations between Iceland and Ireland. Both nations are members of the European Economic Area, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

History

Connections between Iceland and Ireland began circa 700s or 800s when Irish monks first explored Iceland as mentioned in the books by Irish monk and geographer Dicuil.^[1] When Norse explorers arrived to Iceland, many encountered the Irish monks on the island who they called "Papar" for the religious books they would leave behind on the island.^[2] When Norse settlers arrived, many of the Irish monks left Iceland because they would not inhabit a country of "pagans". During the following centuries, more Norse explorers would come to Iceland and bring with them Irish women who were slaves to Iceland producing Iceland's current genetic make-up among its population.^[3]

During World War II, both Iceland (in personal union with the Kingdom of Denmark) and Ireland remained neutral. Iceland became a republic in June 1944. On 11 March 1948, both Iceland and Ireland established diplomatic relations.^[4] In 1960, Iceland joined the European Free Trade Association while Ireland joined the European Union in 1973. In 2003, both nations signed a double taxation agreement.^[5] After the 2008 banking crisis that affected heavily the two nations,^[6] Iceland began the formal application process to join the EU; however, Ireland raised concerns over Iceland's over fishing of the mackerel which Ireland stated that Iceland fished more than its share of the fish.^[7] In 2013, Iceland pulled its application for joining the EU, wishing instead to remain outside the union.^[8]

Transport

Both nations are served with direct flights provided by airlines Icelandair and Play.

State visits

Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits from Iceland to Ireland^{[9] [10]}

• President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (1991)
• Prime Minister Geir Haarde (2007)

Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Iceland^{[1] [11] [12]}

• President Mary Robinson (1991, 1996)
• Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (2001)

Trade

Both Iceland and Ireland trade under the European Single Market with Iceland belonging to the EFTA and Ireland being a full member of the EU. In 2015, total trade between Iceland the European Union (which includes Ireland) totaled €5.7 billion.^[13]

Diplomatic missions

• Iceland is accredited to Ireland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom.^[14]
• Ireland is accredited to Iceland from it embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.^[15]

See also

• Foreign relations of Iceland
• Foreign relations of Ireland
• Brendan the Navigator

Notes and References

1. http://www.president.ie/en/media-library/speeches/address-by-the-president-of-ireland-mary-robinson-at-the-state-banquet State visits by Irish President Mary Robinson to Iceland
2. Web site: Saga Museum: Papar . 2016-11-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150102021929/http://www.sagamuseum.is/overview/14-articles/136-papar . 2015-01-02 . dead .
3. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/why-people-in-iceland-look-just-like-us-1.1104676 The Irish Times: Why people in Iceland look just like us
4. https://www.utanrikisraduneyti.is/raduneytid/stjornmalasamband-og-rikjaheiti/ Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ireland (in Icelandic)
5. http://www.mbl.is/greinasafn/grein/770744/ Iceland concludes a double taxation agreement with Ireland (in Icelandic)
6. https://www.mercatus.org/publication/iceland-and-ireland-banking-crises-lessons-future The Iceland and Ireland Banking Crises: Lessons for the Future
7. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/iceland-s-growing-mackerel-catch-muddies-waters-for-eu-bid-1.621935?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Ficeland-s-growing-mackerel-catch-muddies-waters-for-eu-bid-1.621935 Iceland's growing mackerel catch muddies waters for EU bid
8. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/world/europe/iceland-no-longer-eager-to-join-eu.html?_r=0 Iceland: No Longer Eager to Join E.U.
9. http://www.mbl.is/greinasafn/grein/74956/ President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir in Ireland (in Icelandic)
10. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/icelandic-leader-s-visit-focuses-on-trade-links-1.961401 Icelandic leader's visit focuses on trade links
11. https://vigdis.is/en/president-of-iceland/official-visits/ Official Visits
12. http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Publications/Publications_Archive/Publications_for_2003/StrategyStatementProgressReportfor2001.pdf Bertie Ahern visits Iceland
13. Web site: European Union, Trade in goods with Iceland . 2016-11-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161107160704/http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113389.pdf . 2016-11-07 . dead .
14. http://www.iceland.is/iceland-abroad/uk/ Embassy of Iceland in London
15. https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/denmark/ Embassy of Ireland in Copenhagen