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Foreign relations of Iceland

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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.[1] Iceland was a founding member of the World Bank in 1946 and NATO in 1949.[1] 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.[citation needed]

Membership in international organizations

[edit]

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

[edit]

Rockall

[edit]
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.[citation needed]

Deposit insurance

[edit]
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

[edit]
Main articles: Iceland–European Union relations and Enlargement of the European Union
Iceland's reluctance to join the EU's Common Fisheries Policy is a major stumbling bloc to accession

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

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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

[edit]

List of countries which Iceland maintains diplomatic relations with:

# Country Date[24]
1  Denmark 1 December 1918
2  United Kingdom 8 May 1940
3  Sweden 27 July 1940
4  Norway 29 August 1940
5  United States 1 July 1941
6  Russia 4 October 1943
7  Italy 15 August 1945
8  Belgium 9 November 1945
9  France 18 November 1945
10  Netherlands 9 January 1946
11  Czech Republic 27 February 1946
12  Poland 14 November 1946
13  Canada 6 June 1947
14   Switzerland 15 July 1947
15  Finland 15 August 1947
16  Portugal 23 January 1948
17  Ireland 11 March 1948
18  Iran 15 March 1948
19  Spain 20 September 1949
20  Israel 10 August 1951[25]
21  Argentina 21 April 1952[26]
22  Brazil 28 April 1952[27]
23  Germany 10 July 1952
24  Serbia 27 February 1953
25  Hungary 17 July 1955
26  Cuba 26 January 1956[28]
27  Romania 18 May 1956
28  Japan 8 December 1956
29  Turkey 25 November 1957
30  Greece 6 June 1958
31  Luxembourg 30 July 1962
32  South Korea 10 October 1962
33  Chile 6 November 1963
34  Bulgaria 19 November 1963
35  Mexico 24 March 1964
36  Austria 20 July 1964
37  Peru 14 November 1967
38  Egypt 20 May 1968
39  Ethiopia 20 May 1968
40  Niger 26 January 1970
41  Tunisia 14 May 1970
42  Nigeria 3 November 1970
43  China 14 December 1971
44  India 11 May 1972
45  Lebanon 28 March 1973
46  North Korea 27 July 1973
47  Vietnam 5 August 1973
48  Kenya 30 October 1973
49  Mongolia 4 June 1974
50  Bahamas 18 March 1975
51  Thailand 18 June 1975
52  Albania 9 April 1976
–  Holy See 12 October 1976
53  Pakistan 7 December 1976[29]
54  Cape Verde 20 July 1977
55  Ghana 11 October 1977[30]
56  Tanzania 17 November 1977[31]
57  Iraq 20 April 1978[31]
58  Bangladesh 23 November 1978[31]
59  Bahrain 20 May 1978
60  San Marino 29 September 1978
61  Barbados 9 April 1979
62  Cyprus 4 September 1979
63  Venezuela 15 January 1981
64    Nepal 25 May 1981
65  Colombia 15 September 1981
66  Saudi Arabia 15 January 1982
67  Nicaragua 16 December 1982
68  Grenada 14 January 1983
69  Algeria 17 May 1983
70  Indonesia 13 June 1983
71  Yemen 20 July 1983
72  Lesotho 24 August 1983
73  Australia 12 February 1984
74  Somalia 20 March 1985
75  Morocco 24 September 1985
76  Angola 2 November 1988[30]
77  New Zealand 21 October 1988
78  Jordan 1990
79  Maldives 30 January 1990
80  Botswana 5 April 1990[30]
81  Seychelles 8 November 1990
82  Namibia 10 December 1990
83  Uruguay 18 June 1991
84  Estonia 26 August 1991
85  Latvia 26 August 1991
86  Lithuania 26 August 1991
87  Slovenia 24 February 1992
88  Oman 26 February 1992
89  Ukraine 30 March 1992
90  Liechtenstein 26 June 1992[31]
91  Croatia 30 June 1992
92  Georgia 21 September 1992
93  Slovakia 1 January 1993[32]
94  Marshall Islands 25 January 1993
95  Guatemala 5 August 1993
96  Eswatini 3 December 1993
97  North Macedonia 29 December 1993
98  South Africa 31 May 1994
99  Moldova 1 June 1994
100  Andorra 3 August 1995
101  Kuwait 26 April 1996
102  Bosnia and Herzegovina 8 May 1996
103  Costa Rica 10 January 1997
104  Turkmenistan 13 February 1997
105  Mozambique 5 March 1997
106  Armenia 15 May 1997
107  Uzbekistan 25 September 1997
108  Azerbaijan 27 February 1998
109  Malta 3 July 1998
110  Malawi 14 August 1998
111  Sri Lanka 23 December 1998
112  Malaysia 1999
113  Philippines 24 February 1999
114  Singapore 4 May 1999
115  Panama 4 June 1999
116  Uganda 2000
117  Jamaica 24 May 2000
118  El Salvador 25 October 2000
119  Kyrgyzstan 2 April 2001[33]
120  Belarus 25 May 2001
121  Burkina Faso 23 October 2001
122  Qatar 24 January 2002
123  Sudan 13 June 2003
124  Cambodia 19 June 2003
125  Dominican Republic 23 June 2003
126  United Arab Emirates 17 September 2003
127  East Timor 4 December 2003
128  Ecuador 11 December 2003
129  Mauritius 15 December 2003
130  Nauru 17 February 2004
131  Antigua and Barbuda 11 March 2004
132  Libya 15 March 2004
133  Afghanistan 17 March 2004
134  Paraguay 17 March 2004
135  Senegal 7 April 2004
136  Chad 14 April 2004
137  Saint Kitts and Nevis 5 May 2004
138  Syria 6 May 2004
139  Gambia 11 May 2004
140  Rwanda 12 May 2004
141  Guinea 14 May 2004
142  Kazakhstan 14 May 2004
143  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 May 2004
144  Dominica 29 June 2004
145  Belize 7 July 2004
146  Mali 23 July 2004
147  Zambia 23 July 2004
148  Papua New Guinea 12 August 2004
149  Laos 2 September 2004
150  Equatorial Guinea 10 September 2004
151  Honduras 15 September 2004
152  Bolivia 17 September 2004
153  Guinea-Bissau 24 September 2004
154  Federated States of Micronesia 27 September 2004
155  Vanuatu 27 September 2004
156  Eritrea 6 October 2004
157  Mauritania 6 October 2004
158  Palau 6 October 2004
159  Samoa 15 October 2004
160  Comoros 29 October 2004
161  Suriname 9 November 2004
162  Togo 19 November 2004
163  Republic of the Congo 15 December 2004
164  Benin 23 February 2005
165  Guyana 10 March 2005
166  Gabon 27 May 2005
167  Djibouti 19 July 2005
168  Tuvalu 26 July 2005
169  Kiribati 15 September 2005
170  Ivory Coast 14 October 2005
171  Haiti 18 November 2005
172  Tajikistan 14 February 2006
173  Brunei 27 April 2006
174  Saint Lucia 7 May 2006
175  Madagascar 21 September 2006
176  Montenegro 26 September 2006
177  Sierra Leone 13 November 2006
178  Liberia 28 November 2006
179  Burundi 14 December 2006
180  Democratic Republic of the Congo 23 February 2007[34]
181  Solomon Islands 20 April 2007
182  Cameroon 19 September 2007
183  São Tomé and Príncipe 24 September 2007
184  Tonga 14 December 2007
185  Fiji 8 February 2008
186  South Sudan 29 September 2011
–  Kosovo 14 November 2011
–  State of Palestine 15 December 2011
187  Myanmar 19 December 2012
188  Trinidad and Tobago 8 May 2013
189  Monaco 5 May 2014
–  Cook Islands 13 October 2017

Bilateral relations

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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.[13]

Africa

[edit]
  No formal diplomatic relations
Country Diplomatic Relations Established Notes
 Burkina Faso 2001

Burkina Faso is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.[35]

 Central African Republic N/A Iceland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Central African Republic.
 Djibouti 2005
  • Djibouti is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Iceland is accredited to Djibouti from its embassy in Kampala, Uganda.
 Kenya 1973
  • Iceland is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Kampala, Uganda
  • Kenya is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
 Malawi 1998
  • Iceland has an embassy in Lilongwe.
  • Malawi is accredited to Iceland from its high commission in London.
 Mauritania 2004
 Mozambique 1997
  • 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 Africa 1994
  • 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.
 Uganda 2000
  • Iceland has an embassy in Kampala.
  • Uganda is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
 Zimbabwe N/A Iceland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe.

Americas

[edit]
Country Diplomatic Relations Established Notes
 Argentina 1952
  • 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.
 Barbados 1979

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 April 1979.[37]

 Belize 2004

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 7 July 2004.[38][39]

 Brazil 1952
  • 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.
 Canada 1947 See Canada–Iceland relations
  • Canada has an embassy in Reykjavík.[40]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Winnipeg.[41]
 Chile 1963
  • Chile is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Iceland is accredited to Chile from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.
 Colombia 1981
  • Colombia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Iceland is accredited to Colombia from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.
 Cuba 1956
  • 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.
 Dominica 2004
  • 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.[42]
 Guyana 2005

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 10 March 2005.[43][39]

 Mexico 24 March 1964 See 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.[44]
  • Mexico is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[45]
 Panama 4 June 1999

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1999.[46][47]

 Paraguay 2004
  • Iceland is represented in Paraguay by its embassy in Washington, United States.[48]
  • Paraguay is represented in Iceland by its embassy in London, United Kingdom.[49]
 Peru 1967
  • 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 Grenadines 27 May 2004
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 May 2004.[50]
  • Iceland is represented in Saint-Vincent-and-the-Grenadines by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.[51]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2004

Iceland is represented in Saint Kitts and Nevis by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.[51]

 United States 1 July 1941 See Iceland–United States relations

Iceland 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.[44]
  • United States has an embassy in Reykjavík.[52]
 Uruguay 1991
  • 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

[edit]
  No formal diplomatic relations
Country Diplomatic Relations Established Notes
 Armenia 1995
  • 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.
 Azerbaijan 1998
  • Azerbaijan is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom.
  • Iceland is accredited to Azerbaijan from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
 Bhutan N/A Iceland does not maintain diplomatic relations with Bhutan.
 China 1971 See 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.[53]
  • Iceland has an honorary consulate in Hong Kong. The honorary consulate is also accredited to Macao.[54]
 Georgia 21 September 1992

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1992.

 India 1972 See Iceland–India relations
  • India has an embassy in Reykjavík.
  • Iceland has an embassy in New Delhi and two consulates in Mumbai and Chennai.
 Indonesia 1983

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.[55]

 Iran 1948
  • Iceland is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Oslo.[56]
  • Iran is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo.[57]
 Israel May 1948 See Iceland–Israel relations
 Japan 8 December 1956 See Iceland–Japan relations
 Mongolia 1974

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1974.[61]

   Nepal 1981

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 1981.[62]

 Pakistan 1976

Pakistan maintain cordinal diplomatic relations with Iceland.[63]

 Palestine 2011 See Iceland–Palestine relations

On 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. Iceland was the first (and, until 2024, 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.[64]

 Philippines 24 February 1999
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[65] and Makati, Metro Manila,[66] respectively.

 Singapore 1999

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 May 1999.[67]

 South Korea 10 October 1962[68] 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.
 Turkey 1957 See Iceland–Turkey relations
  • Turkish Embassy in Oslo is accredited to Iceland, while the Icelandic Embassy in Copenhagen is accredited to Turkey.[69]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Turkmenistan 13 February 1997

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 February 1997.[70]

 Uzbekistan 25 September 1997

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 September 1997.[71]

Europe

[edit]
Country Diplomatic Relations Established Notes
 Albania 1976
 Andorra 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1995.[73]

 Austria 1928
 Belarus 2001
  • Iceland is represented in Belarus through its embassy in Moscow and an honorary consulate in Minsk.
 Belgium 1945
  • Belgium is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo and an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[75]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Brussels.[76]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Bulgaria 1963
  • Iceland is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Sofia.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Croatia 1992

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 June 1992.[77][78]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Cyprus 1979
  • Cyprus is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.[79]
  • Iceland is represented in Cyprus by its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[80]
 Czech Republic 1993-01-01 See 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.
 Denmark 1918 See 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.

 Estonia 1991
  • 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.
 Finland 1947 See Finland–Iceland relations
 France 1945 See France–Iceland relations
  • France has an embassy in Reykjavík.[85]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Paris.[86]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Germany 1952 See Germany–Iceland relations
 Greece 1958 See 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.
 Hungary 1955

Hungary is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Oslo, Norway.[89]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Ireland 11 March 1948 See Iceland–Ireland relations
  • Iceland is represented in Ireland through its embassy in London (United Kingdom) and through an honorary consulate in Dublin.[90]
  • Ireland is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Copenhagen (Denmark) and through an honorary consulate in Garðabær.[91]
  • Both countries are full members of Council of Europe.
 Italy 1945
 Latvia 1991-08-22 See 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.
 Lithuania 1991-08-05
 Malta 3 July 1998

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 1998.[98]

 Moldova 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 May 1995.[99]

 Montenegro 2006

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 2006.[100]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Netherlands 1946
 North Macedonia 1993
 Norway 1940 See Iceland–Norway relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Oslo.[106]
  • Norway has an embassy in Reykjavík.[107]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Poland January 1946 See Iceland–Poland relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Warsaw.[108]
  • Poland has an embassy in Reykjavík.[109]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Romania 1956
  • Iceland is represented in Romania through its embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Bucharest.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Russia 1943 See Iceland–Russia relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Moscow.[110]
  • Russia has an embassy in Reykjavík.[111]
  • Both countries have close ties in financing, which has strengthened the relations between the two.[112] 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.[113]
  • On August 1, 2023, Iceland suspended its embassy operations in Moscow.[114]
 Serbia 2000
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 2000.[115]
  • A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded and are in force between both countries.[116]
 Spain 1949 See 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.
 Sweden 1940 See Iceland–Sweden relations
  • The governments of Iceland and Sweden signed on 23 March 1921 a joint declaration for the protection of trade marks.[117]
  • Iceland has an embassy in Stockholm.[118]
  • Sweden has an embassy in Reykjavík.[119]
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
  Switzerland 1947
  • 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
 Ukraine 1992 See Iceland–Ukraine relations
 United Kingdom 1940 See Iceland–United Kingdom relations

Iceland established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 8 May 1940.[24]

The UK occupied Iceland from 10 May 1940 until July 1941, when the United States assumed responsibility of the country.[124]

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

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[125] Council of Europe, Joint Expeditionary Force, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a free trade agreement.[126]

Oceania

[edit]
Country Diplomatic Relations Established Notes
 Australia 1984
  • Australia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Iceland is accredited to Australia from its embassy in Beijing, China.
 Marshall Islands 25 January 1993

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1993.[127]

 Micronesia 2004

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 2004.[128]

 New Zealand 1988
  • Iceland is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Beijing, China and maintains honorary consulates in Auckland and Nelson.[129]
  • New Zealand is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.
 Samoa 2004

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 2004.[130]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Foreign representations in Iceland
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foreign_relations_of_Iceland&oldid=1265622231"