Foreign affairs - Politics

President of Finland will visit Iceland this month

The Finnish president, Sauli Niinistö will officially visit Iceland along with his wife, on May 28th - 29th. Various officials and experts on the Arctic will also accompany the president.

Friday, 17 May 2013 22:58

More difficult for EEA citizens to buy real estates in Iceland

From now on it is illegal for foreigners, with a permanent residence within the European Economic Area (EEA), to buy a real estate in Iceland unless the purchase is made because the person is going to legally reside or operate in Iceland.

Friday, 03 May 2013 14:44

Minister says Iceland benefits greatly from the EU membership application

"Iceland benefits from the application, but does not pay 'billions and billions' [ISK]. The application process itself has costed around 300 million ISK which is in accordance with the budget. Additionally Iceland has received project grants for 6.5 billions, in hard foreign currency into the country. So Jon Bjarnason is wrong, he is among radical EU opponents. They usually treat facts freely and usually don't want to discuss the issues." said Ossur Skarphedinsson, the minister of foreign affairs in Iceland.

Friday, 26 April 2013 11:03

Iceland will likely withdraw the EU membership application

Mr. Arni Pall Arnason, chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance, attended a radio interview recently together with Bjarni Benediktsson, chairman of the Independence Party, and Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, chairman of the Progressive Party.

Sunday, 21 April 2013 12:46

Should Iceland finish the EU membership negotiations

Majority of Icelanders wants to finish the EU membership negotiations

More than half of the Icelandic nation wants to finish the membership negotiations with the European Union. The final contract will then be put up for a referendum. A third of the nation wants to withdraw the application.

Friday, 19 April 2013 02:01

"Iceland gives hope to gay Chinese"

The news source Hurriyet Daily News published an article yesterday where the subject is the visit of Johanna Sigurdardottir, the prime minister of Iceland, and her wife to China. In the article it is talked about that the visit might give gay Chinese people hope.

Thursday, 18 April 2013 18:30

Talked to the president of China about human rights

Johanna Sigurdardottir, the prime minister of Iceland, discussed human rights issues and international commitments with Xi Jinping, the president of China, during their meeting in Peking today. The recently signed free trade agreement between the nations was also discussed.

Wednesday, 17 April 2013 11:27

Iceland has signed a free trade agreement with China - First in Europe

Iceland has become the first country to sign a free trade agreement with China. It is believed that China wants increased incluence in the Arctic region, for example because of shipping routes over the Arctic Ocean.

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 06:37

Iceland could join the European Union by the end of next year

The parliament in Iceland agreed officially, during the summer of 2009, to apply for membership to the European Union. During the campaigns for the 2009 general elections many people talked about that Iceland could have a referendum soon, regarding the membership agreement. The membership negotiations have however taken more time than expected.

Monday, 15 April 2013 00:35

Prime minister of Iceland has arrived to China

Johanna Sigurdardottir and her delegation have arrived to China. The public visit begins on Monday, and then the free trade agreement between Iceland and China will be signed. The public visit of Johanna and her wife, Jonina Leosdottir, will last from Monday to Thursday.

Saturday, 13 April 2013 12:26