Foreign affairs Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
May 2020 Foreign affairs Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020 Government of Iceland Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
Layers of International cooperation
OSCE
Andorra Bosnia and Kyrgizstan Russia Turkmenistan
Armenia Herzegovina Moldova San Marino Ukraine
Azerbaijan Georgia Monako Serbia Uzbekistan
Belarus Kazakstan Mongolia Tajikistan Vatican City
SCHENGEN
EEA
EFTA
EU
Liechtenstein EUROZONE
OECD
Australia
Chile Switzerland Sweden Austria Cyprus
Colombia Finland Ireland
Israel Malta
Japan NATO
Mexico
New Zealand
South Korea Belgium Lithuania Canada
Czech Estonia Luxembourg United
Iceland Republic France Netherlands States
Norway Denmark Germany Portugal Turkey
Hungary Greece Slovakia
Poland Italy Slovenia
Latvia Spain
United Kingdom
Bulgaria Albania
Croatia Montenegro
Romania North Macedonia
Issued by: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, May 2020
Photos: Ministry for Foreign Affairs (5,15) Sigurjón Ragnar (6,9) Jouni Porsanger (8) NATO (11) Pontus hook (13)
2
May 2020
Anniversary in the midst of a pandemic
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs celebrated its 80th anniversary on 10 April,
in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic. These have rightfully
been called unprecedented times, as the world is confronted with a
global health crisis and what could possibly turn out to be the most
severe economic downturn in our times. A lot has changed since the
Icelandic Foreign service was established 80 years ago, but its main role
remains unchanged: to protect and promote Iceland’s interests abroad.
The importance of this role has rarely been as relationship with the United States, Iceland’s
visible as in the last few weeks, where the staff largest export market. Protecting Iceland’s
of Iceland’s diplomatic missions around the interests following Brexit has also been a
world and at the Ministry have worked tirelessly priority in the Ministry and the negotiations
in assisting around 12 thousand Icelanders with the UK on the future relationship between
travelling abroad as the pandemic broke out. the countries will soon be under way.
Iceland’s membership in the UN Human Rights Iceland’s NATO membership and the bilateral
Council from 2018-2019 has been one of the defence agreement with the US remain key
most significant roles Iceland has undertaken pillars of Icelandic foreign policy. Changes in
on the international scene. Iceland’s initiatives the security landscape in Europe demand an
on the Council even received global attention, increased preparedness in the region, which is
not least when the Council passed a resolu- the reason for the sizeable maintenance and
tion tabled by Iceland on the promotion and construction work of defence-related proper-
protection of human rights in the Philippines ties within the security area at Keflavík Airport.
and when Iceland lead a Joint Statement, on
Iceland assumed its two-year presidency of
behalf of almost forty states, on development
the Arctic Council in May 2019. The presidency
in Saudi Arabia. To a certain extent, our leading
provides an opportunity to highlight the impor-
role on the Council was a touchstone for how
tance of Sustainable Development. Iceland has
the (relatively small) Icelandic Foreign Service
a great deal of interest in the sustainable and
would cope with such an extensive and chal-
peaceful development in the region. The presi-
lenging task. However, it should be safe to say
dency is an opportunity to highlight Iceland as
that the Foreign Service passed the test with
an active contributor to global affairs.
flying colours.
International development cooperation has
Last year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
become an increasingly important part of the
presented for the first time a special report to
Ministry’s work. A year ago, Althingi passed
Althingi on the status and implementation of
a new policy for international development
the European Economic Area Agreement. The
cooperation. The policy brings Icelandic exper-
EEA agreement has transformed the Icelandic
tise to the forefront, and how it can contribute
business environment in the 25 years since its
to infrastructure development and economic
ratification, and the presentation of a special
growth in developing states.
report underlines its importance. The Foreign
Ministry has at the same time placed an
Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson,
increased emphasis on fostering an even closer minister for foreign affairs and
international development cooperation
3Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
COVID-19: A new focus
for the Foreign Service
HEILSA OG
VELLÍÐAN
When the coronavirus pandemic hit the globe in early 2020 the work of the
Foreign Service underwent a drastic transformation. The flexibility of the
Foreign Service, which has been consciously fostered and strengthened in
recent years, proved invaluable when about half of the staff took part in
assisting around twelve thousand Icelanders abroad.
As everywhere else in society, daily tasks its utmost to facilitate the import of these
changed overnight and extensive plans for products. The Embassy of Iceland in China
visits, events and conferences had to be has worked hard to facilitate and expedite
revised immediately. The Foreign Service, along the purchase and transportation of products
with Promote Iceland, has done its utmost to from China and the Government has been in
assist Icelandic export companies to find their good cooperation with Japanese authorities in
footing in a drastically changed environment the response to the pandemic. In a concerted
and continues to chart any barriers and to effort by the whole administration, Iceland
resolve them to the furthest extent possible. was able to join the JPA on the joint procure-
ment of medical products in Brussels in record
Negotiations in record speed time and to avert a ban by the European Union
on the export of certain protective gear for
Globally, there has been fierce competition for
medical professionals.
protective gear, respirators and other necessary
medical supplies. The Foreign Service has done
Consular Services during the pandemic: location of Icelanders and repatriation flights
4May 2020
Coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus
Coronavirus -- consular
pandemic
pandemic ---consular
-consular
services
consular March
services
services 14
14 to
March
March 14April
14to 29 2020
toApril
April
April29
292020
2020
2020
Coronavirus
Coronavirus
Coronavirus
pandemic
pandemic
Coronaviruspandemicconsular
pandemic consular
services
services
services
March
March
March
to14
14
April
to
to April
29 2020
29
29 2020 MFA NEWS
Consular Services 14 March to 29 April 2020
Medical equipment from China
3,214
3,214
3,2143,214
3,214
3,214 5,750
5,750
5,7505,750
5,750
5,750 74 74
74
74 74
74
7 April 2020 Icelandic health author-
peoplepeople
contacted directly. facilitation lettersletters
facilitation
facilitation sent tosent
letters senttoto
ities contracted Icelandair to trans-
general consular
general
general consular
consular peoplecontacted
contacted directly.
directly. facilitation
facilitation
facilitation
lettersletters
letters
sent to sent
senttoto
general
general
general
consular
consular
consular people
people
people
contacted
contacted
contacted
directly.
directly.
directly.
services handled
services
services over over
handled
handled over Over two thousand
Over
Overtwo by phone
twothousand
thousand phone certify
bybyphone that
certifytravelers
certifythat were were
thattravelers
travelers were port protective gear and medical
services
services
services
handledhandled
over over
handled over Over two
Over
Over
thousand
twothousand
two thousand
by phone
bybyphone
phone certify that
certify travelers
certifythat
that were
travelers
travelers were
were
3,000 phone
3,000 calls.
3,000phone
phonecalls.
calls. and others
and receiving
andothers targeted
othersreceiving
receiving targeted free tofree
targeted travel totravel
Iceland
freetototravel and and
totoIceland
Iceland and equipment from China. The order was
3,000 3,000
phone
3,000phone
calls.
phonecalls.
calls. and others
andothers
and others
receivingreceiving
targeted
receiving targeted free tofree
targeted freetototravel
travel travel
to totoIceland
Iceland Iceland
and and and
messages by email
messages
messages oremail
textorortext
bybyemail text ease their
ease
easejourney.
their
theirjourney.
journey. placed a while ago when the seri-
2,736
2,736
2,7362,736
2,736
2,736
messages
messages
message.
by email
messages
message.
message.
message.
message.
message.
bybyemail
oremail
textorortext
text ease
easejourney.
ease their their
theirjourney.
journey.
ousness of the virus was becoming
emailsemails
received
emailsreceived
received
emailsemails
received
emailsreceived
received evident. The embassy of Iceland in
by theby
consular
bythe services.
theconsular
consular
services.
services.
by theby theconsular
consular
bythe consular services.
services.
services. China, in cooperation with authori-
ties in Iceland prepared the procure-
211 211
211
211 211
211 ment of this equipment and helped
588588
588
588588
588 312 312
312
312312
312 stranded passangers
stranded
stranded
stranded
stranded
stranded
passangers
passangers
passangers
in 56 inin5656
passangers
passangers
in 56 inin5656 to secure the necessary permits for
individuals helpedhelped
individuals
individuals through through individuals
helpedthrough arrivedarrived
individuals
individuals on
arrivedonon countries. 57 still57
countries.
countries. stranded
57still
stillstranded
stranded
individuals
individuals
individuals
helpedhelped
helped
through
through
through individuals
individuals
individuals
arrived
arrived
arrived
on on on countries.
countries.
countries.
57 still5757
stranded
still
stillstranded
stranded exports. The embassy of China in
Facebook Messenger.
Facebook
FacebookMessenger.
Messenger. repatriation flights.flights.
repatriation
repatriation flights. in 23 countries.
inin2323countries.
countries.
Facebook
Facebook
Facebook
Messenger.
Messenger.
Messenger. repatriation
repatriation
repatriation
flights.
flights.
flights. in 23 countries.
inin2323countries.
countries. Reykjavik was also of great assistance
in this project.
Nordic and international cooperation
When the coronavirus started to spread outside of Asia, the Tasks carried out
international community fumbled in its initial response, not least around the clock
within the Schengen area where borders closed suddenly and 26 March 2020 The Consular Affairs
without warning. Soon, most states concluded that safeguarding Unit of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
international cooperation and institutions such as the World safeguards the interest and safety
of Icelandic citizens abroad and is
Health Organization would be the only way forward.
of the main pillars of the Icelandic
Nordic cooperation has proven its value over the past few Foreign Service. The Unit carries out
tasks around the clock in Reykjavík,
weeks, epitomized by the close collaboration between the
and Diplomatic Missions in three
Nordic consular services. The Nordic countries have stressed continents.
the importance of protecting and promoting human rights and
democracy, which have come under threat during the pandemic,
Icelandic family returns
and supporting low-income countries through international
home from Wuhan
institutions and humanitarian organizations. Iceland has already
21 February 2020 The Consular
announced a comprehensive package of 276 million Icelandic
Affairs Unit of the Ministry for Foreign
króna (ISK) as a first response to the fight against COVID-19 in Affairs and Diplomatic Missions in
developing countries, a contribution that will be channelled Beijing and Paris, in cooperation
through international organizations, humanitarian organizations with the Ministry of Health, the Chief
Epidemiologist, and the Department
and specific projects in bilateral partner countries.
of Civil Protection and Emergency
Management worked in a concerted
action to bring an Icelandic family
home from Wuhan today. Wide-
ranging travel restrictions from
Wuhan were in place but through
the European Emergency Response
Coordination Centre (ERCC), where
Iceland is a Participating State, it
was possible to arrange seats for the
family in a repatriation flight to Paris,
organized for European Citizens in
the area.
14. mars 2020. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
Development Cooperation and his staff coordinate the tasks ahead.
5Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
Iceland and external trade
GÓÐ ATVINNA
OG HAGVÖXTUR
Free trade is the foundation of prosperity in Iceland and one of the main
pillars of Iceland’s foreign policy. The EEA Agreement, along with a network
of trade agreements, opens up markets to Icelandic companies. The
collaboration with the business sector has increased significantly, not least
through the reform of the Promote Iceland agency. Preparations for the
future negotiations with the UK following Brexit remain a priority.
Iceland’s free trade network expands
Fifty years have passed since Iceland became The first trade dialogue of the foreign minis-
a member of European Free Trade Association ters of Iceland and the United States of
(EFTA). The EFTA free trade area now covers 40 America was held in Reykjavík in June 2019. In
states and territories outside of the EU. Iceland September the Foreign Minister of Iceland and
has ratified a free trade agreement with Indo- the Vice-President of the United States hosted
nesia but the entry into force is pending. Work a business round table discussion in Reykjavik.
is under way to establish a date for the signing In November 2019 the Foreign Minister met with
of a free trade agreement with MERCOSUR his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, along
(Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). with a large business delegation of representa-
tives from Icelandic companies.
Free trade negotiations with India, Malaysia
and Vietnam are ongoing. In the last quarter
of 2019, the Faroese authorities withdrew their
termination of the Hoyvík Agreement on free
trade between Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Trade agreements
Trade agreements
74 115 10 44
Free trade agreements Air travel agreements Iceland has made investment Double taxation treaties with
with 74 countries and and memoranda of agreements with 10 countries as 44 countries have been
economies, including understanding granting well as other agreements that implemented, including the
three awaiting ratification. flight authorisations. include investment provisions. 2018 agreement with Japan.
From the panel discussion on Icelandic-American trade in September 2019. Foreign Minister Gudlaugur
Thór Thórdarson and Mike Pence, Vice-President of the United States led the delegations.
6May 2020
Comprehensive discussions MFA NEWS
with the United Kingdom
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union
Signing of Agreement on the
UK’s withdrawal from the
on 31 January will considerably impact the relations of Iceland
European Economic Area
and the UK as they been based on the EEA Agreement for the past
28 January 2020 The foreign ministers
25 years. Until the end of the transition period on 31 December
of Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein
2020, the UK is fully bound by EU law, including international signed an agreement with the United
agreements such as the EEA Agreement. Discussions on the future Kingdom on its withdrawal from the
relationship with the UK will commence in June of this year. The European Economic Area. The agree-
public policy of British authorities is to finalise the discussions ment ensures i.a. that Icelanders who
either reside in the UK or take up
with the EU and other close partner countries such as the EFTA
residency before the end of the tran-
states within the EEA before the end of the transition period. sition period can remain in the UK
and that their rights will remain in all
The discussions on the future relationship with Britain are divided
The discussions on the future relationship major aspects intact. This also applies
into three
with main
Britain arefields:
divided into three main fields to British citizens living in Iceland.
The Foreign minister and
the Vice-President of the
Free Trade Agreements Agreements outside the scope Withdrawal agreement
United States led the panel
negotiations of Free Trade negotiations and related matters
4-8 working groups
discussions on business
12-14 working groups 2-3 working groups
4 September 2019 Foreign Minister
A total of 30 specialists from ministries and institutions are directly Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson and Mike
Promote Iceland and increased
inolved in the negotiations on the future relationship with Britain
Pence, Vice-President of the United
collaboration with the business sector States, led panel discussions on
business, science and cultural rela-
The Promote Iceland agency has been strengthened and restruc- tions between Iceland and the United
tured through legal amendments, which passed in 2018. The States with representatives from the
aim was to provide the agency with the means to better serve business sectors of both countries at
a meeting in Hofdi House. The Foreign
companies in the fields of export, investment and travel services.
Minister emphasised the importance
The work of twelve dedicated business representatives working of the visit of the Vice-President of
in eleven of Iceland’s diplomatic missions abroad has been inte- the United States as a contribution
grated into Promote Iceland. to increased cooperation between
Iceland and the United States.
The Cooperation fund of the business
The foreign ministers of
sector and the authorities on the UN Iceland and Russia discussed
Sustainable Development Goals the Arctic region and trade
A new partnership fund of the business sector and Icelandic 26 November 2019 Foreign Minister
authorities for the advancement of the UN Global Goals is up Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson and
Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of
and running. The fund is intended to support collaborative
Russia, discussed Arctic matters as
ventures of companies in developing countries with a special well as bilateral relations and trade
emphasis on the projects which can accelerate progress on at their meeting in Moscow today.
UN Global Goal no. 8 on decent employment and sustainable Security affairs in Europe and inter-
economic growth. The first Icelandic companies working with the national topics were also discussed.
Matters regarding the Arctic region
authorities via the fund are Marel and Thoregs.
were in the spotlight at the meeting.
7Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
Together towards a Sustainable Arctic
LÍF Í
VATNI
The Chairmanship of the Arctic Council passed to Iceland for a two-year
period at the ministerial meeting of the Council in May 2019. The Arctic
Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation and
coordination among the Arctic States, indigenous communities and other
Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues.
The theme of Iceland’s Chairmanship program
is “Together towards a Sustainable Arctic”,
reflecting Iceland’s commitment to the prin-
ciple of sustainable development and refer-
ring to the necessity of close cooperation
between the states and peoples of the region
and beyond. During its Chairmanship, Iceland
has focused on three priority areas – the Arctic
marine environment, climate and green energy
solutions, and peoples and communities of the
Arctic – as well as further strengthening the
work of the Council.
Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson assumes
The meeting schedule of the Arctic Council the Chairmanship from Timo Soini, then Foreign Minister
has inevitably been affected by the COVID-19 of Finland, at the Arctic Council ministerial meeting in
Rovaniemi in Finland in May 2019.
pandemic, but the Icelandic Chairmanship and
the Council’s six Working Groups are striving to
carry on its important work. Arctic Council member states
Coinciding with Iceland’s Chairmanship of the Canada, Finland, Iceland, Kingdom
of Denmark, Norway, United States,
Arctic Council, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Russian Federation
Aðildarríki and Sweden
Norðurskautsráðsins
and International Development Cooperation
has launched a revision of Iceland’s Arctic
Policy and aims to present a draft for a new
parliamentary resolution in the next legislative
session. Ísland
Danmörk (Færeyjar og
Grænland)
Kanada
Bandaríkin
Rússland
Noregur
Svíþjóð
Finnland
8May 2020
Survey on Icelanders’ opinion on Nordic co-operation MFA NEWS
How positive or negative are you towards Iceland
taking an active partað
inÍsland
Nordictakico-operation?
Viðhorf Íslendinga til þess virkan þátt í norrænu samstarfi?* Bjorn Bjarnason, author
of a new report on Nordic
international- and
Very positive Rather positive Neutral security co-operation
541
Mjög/jákvæðir
63.0% (63,05%) Fremur jákvæðir (28,32%) Í meðallagi (8,39%) 243 / 28.4%
Fremur neikvæðir (0,12%) 72 /(0,12%)
Mjög neikvæðir 8.4%
30 October 2019 Foreign minister
*Heildarfjöldi svarenda: 925, 66 svöruðu ekki. Heimild: Maskína (mars, 2020). Rather negative
1 / 0.1% Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson is in
Total number of responses: 925
Did not answer: 66 Very negative Stockholm where he takes part in
Source: Maskína, March 2020 1 / 0.1% the Nordic Council Assembly 29-31
October. There was consensus on
appointing former minister Bjorn
An eventful year in Nordic collaboration Bjarnason with writing a new report
with suggestions as to how to move
Iceland presided over the cooperation of Nordic foreign minis-
Nordic collaboration forward.
ters (N5) and the foreign ministers of the Nordic countries and
the Baltic countries (NB8) in 2019. In the platform of N5 the
ministers met three times during the presidency year, i.a. at a Iceland assumes the
summer meeting in Borgarnes in September and twice in the Chairmanship of the
Arctic Council
platform of NB8. Iceland also presided over the Nordic Council of
Ministers and on the collaboration of Nordic prime ministers. In 7 May 2019 Iceland assumed the
Chairmanship of the Arctic Council at
total around 30 Nordic ministerial meetings were held, including
a meeting of Council foreign minis-
the meetings of ministers in particular fields in 2019. The Minister ters which took place earlier today in
for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation Rovaniemi in Finland, where Foreign
attended 13 additional bilateral meetings with Nordic foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson
took over from his Finnish colleague
ministers.
Timo Soini. At the meeting the work of
the Arctic Council in the last two years
was reviewed and the foundation laid
for the work ahead in the next two
years during Iceland’s Chairmanship.
The Arctic Council and the
Arctic Economic Council
meet for the first time
9 October 2019 The Arctic Council
and the Arctic Economic Council are
now convening for the first time. The
meeting is a part of the strategy of
From the Borgarnes meeting of the Nordic and increasing collaboration between the
Baltic foreign ministers in September 2019.
two Councils and attended by repre-
sentatives from the member states of
One of the major issues resolved at the Nordic foreign minister the Arctic Council, the Council work-
meeting was that Bjorn Bjarnason, appointed by the foreign ing groups, permanent delegates
minister, was tasked with writing a report on the increased of native organizations in the Arctic
collaboration of the Nordic countries in foreign affairs and and representatives of the business
community.
security matters, inter alia by taking into consideration climate
change, cyber threats and the importance of supporting inter-
national cooperation and international law. This work is compa-
rable to the Stoltenberg-report of 2009. The report is expected to
be ready by mid-year 2020.
9Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
Iceland and national security
FRIÐUR OG
RÉTTLÆTI
Respect for international law and active international cooperation is
essential for a small state without any military. Iceland ensures its
security and defences through its alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), the bilateral Defence Agreement of 1951 between
Iceland and the United States, as well as with an active participation in the
work of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation
in Europe and by cooperating with neighbouring states in the field of
security. The National Security Policy guides the work when it comes to
active foreign policy, defence and public safety.
Collaboration with NATO Iceland’s participation
Within NATO, Iceland emphasizes political in defence excersises
unity and solidarity when it comes to the Iceland plans to continue its participation in
enhancement of security, stability and collec- the planning process and implementation of
tive defence, at the same time seeking ways large-scale defence exercises in and around
to reduce tensions and promote mutual trust. Iceland. Due to changes in the security envi-
Security and readiness in the North Atlantic, ronment in the Arctic region, defence exercises
arms control and disarmament, along with the have increased in scale. Due to the COVID-19
active participation of women in the field of pandemic the bilateral defence exercise,
security and defence, continue to be a priority. Northern Viking, had to be cancelled last April
In cooperation with NATO Iceland ensures but the NATO antisubmarine exercise, Dynamic
the operation of the Iceland Air Defence and Mongoose, will take place at the beginning of
Surveillance system (IADS), NATO Control and June as scheduled. The aim is to conduct both
Reporting Centre and other defence infrastruc- Northern Viking and Dynamic Mongoose every
ture in Iceland. other year in the future.
Defence projects in Iceland
Arms control and disarmament
In line with security developments in Europe
There is an increased global focus on disar-
the temporary presence of US and allied forces
mament and arms control, in which Iceland
in Iceland has increased in the past few years,
actively participates. There is great uncer-
mainly due to antisubmarine surveillance, air
tainty and growing concern for the future of
policing missions and defence exercises. In
arms control and disarmament agreements.
line with the defence commitments of Iceland
With rapid technological developments, new
and the National Security Policy of Iceland,
threats and challenges have emerged, as well
necessary upgrades and maintenance has been
as challenges arising from the COVID-19 health
undertaken at Keflavik Air Base, along with new
pandemic.
construction to support the increased presence
of allied forces. The work is financed by
Iceland, the United States and NATO’s Support
and Procurement Agency.
10May 2020
MFA NEWS
Escalation in the situation in
Iraq and Iran among topics
at the meeting of Nordic
ministers of defence
17 January 2020 The Ministers of
Defence meet twice a year in the
context of NORDEFCO, which is a
key cooperation forum in the Nordic
region for security and defence.
Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, visited Iceland in June 2019.
Here he is pictured with Anna Jóhannsdóttir, then permanent secretary The escalation of the situation in
of Iceland at NATO and US Navy Air Patrol Squadron Commander Hamish Iraq and Iran was among the topics
Kirkland. The submarine surveillance aircraft is of the type P-8A Poseidon. discussed and there was consensus
on prioritising the security of the
international forces in Iraq. The
Iceland Crisis Response Unit international forces have inter alia
held training courses in Iraq, which
Last year, 13 civilian experts were deployed by the Iceland Crisis
have proven to be an important part
Response Unit. Six women and seven men, inter alia in Georgia, of combating the so-called Islamic
Afghanistan and in NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in state terrorist organisation.
Estonia and Lithuania. This year a civilian expert will also be
deployed at NATO’s eFP mission in Latvia. In addition to civilian The prime minister and
experts in the field, Iceland also provides experts to NATO in the foreign minister
Belgium, Britain, and the United States. Besides contributing attend the meeting of
experts to NATO, the experts through their work raise the profile NATO leaders in London
of Icelandic interests in NATO’s planning processes and oper- 3 December 2019 Prime Minister,
ations. Last year Iceland´s participation in NATO’s operation in Katrín Jakobsdóttir, and Foreign
Afghanistan came to an end after 17 years of continued presence Minister, Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson,
attend a NATO Leaders meeting in
of personnel in Afghanistan.
London commencing today. The
Leaders Meeting is held to commem-
Nordic defence cooperation orate the 70 years anniversary of
NATO. The main topics of the meet-
The Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) has grown and ing are the changes in the security
intensified over the past few years and so has Iceland’s bilateral environment, anti-terror operations,
cooperation in security and defence with the UK, Germany and burden-sharing, and the relationship
with Russia.
the Baltic countries. In the Nordic context the work takes place in
NORDEFCO where Iceland participates on the civilian side of the
work. The Secretary General
Contributions to NATO 2019 of NATO visits Iceland
Contributions to NATO 2019 11 June 2019 Security in the North
Atlantic, future projects of Iceland in
Kosovo, Nordic Defence Cooperation
140 and hybrid threats were among topics
Operation of the Icelandic air defence Operation and oversight of 140 NATO discussed at the meeting of the
system, which is part of the integrated defence structures in Iceland. Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg,
NATO air defence system.
with Prime Minister, Katrín
Jakobsdóttir, and Foreign Minister,
13 4,000 Gudlaugur Thór Tórdarson, during the
civil experts work around the world on a Host country support for NATO country Secretary General’s visit to Iceland.
variety of NATO projects ranging from gender personnel. Up to four thousand people
equality to training in bomb disposal. stayed at Keflavík Airport in 2019.
11Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
Iceland takes a decisive role on the
United Nations Human Rights Council
FRIÐUR OG
RÉTTLÆTI
Iceland’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva
proved to be one of the most important roles Iceland has taken on
within the international fora. This was the first time Iceland took a seat
on the Human Rights Council. We are pleased that there was an overall
satisfaction with Iceland’s performance during its tenure which showcased
the importance of small states’ voices within the Council and also, that
smaller countries can also have a decisive impact. In one of many letters
of appreciation received by the foreign minister it is stated that through its
efforts “Iceland had managed in an impressive manner to secure support
from countries all over the world”.
Iceland’s initiatives Gender equality as
receive global publicity a key priority
Iceland was elected to the Human Rights Gender equality and women’s rights were a key
Council in July 2018 following the resignation priority during Iceland’s term. The participation
of the United States from the Council. During of the Prime Minister of Iceland in the Council’s
its tenure, Iceland’s priorities were on gender June session 2019 underlined the Government’s
equality and women’s rights, the rights of importance on these issues. Iceland’s emphasis
LGBTI+ people, children’s rights, a more effi- on gender equality at the Council culminated in
cient and effective Human Rights Council and a first-time resolution on Equal Pay presented
the important link between human rights and by Iceland.
environmental issues, including climate change.
From the onset there was a clear determination Febrúar 2020
to make Iceland’s voice heard clearly within the Ísland í
þjóðanna
Sameinuðu
tindaráði
Ísland í mannrét
ningur að mannréttindaráði
Council. In fact, Iceland garnered widespread
7. Undirbú störfum
þátttöku
í
daráðsins
Sameinuðu þjóðanna Febrúar 2020
mannréttin
Texti ályktun
ardraga sem
réttindaráðið Ísland lagði
myndi lýsa fram var hófsam
ð- Viðurkennt formlega ur og fól í
útsendir sérfræ var að bregða yfir áhyggj sér að mann-
attention when it led a joint statement on
um af ástand
efndina tveir hvött til að st yrði yfir inu á Filipps
ðu við fastan ásamt endurskoða fíkniefnavand eyjum.
ónustunnar aðferðir sínar, anum en
ulltrúa störfu Stjórnarráð Íslands þá til ábyrgð
utanríkisþj lengi ar sem hafa stöðva aftöku stjórnvöld
Auk fastaf ráðsfulltrúi hennar höfðu Utanríkisráðuneytið staðið fyrir r án dóms
í landinu
dur sendi . Verkefni
völd á Filipps slíku. Enn og laga og
ingar og útsen um eyjum sýndu
ðingi og ritara
fremur var draga
krafa jókst og stofnu skrifstofu
en eftir að
farið fram
um sérfræ num mannr mannréttinda á að stjórn-
staðarráðn ptamálum við aðrar indafulltrúa éttindaráðsin fulltrúa Samein
t tengst viðski og samstarf að Sameinuðu s fullan samsta uðu þjóðan
fyrst og frems daráðsins varð ljóst mannréttinda þjóðanna rfsvilja. Loks na
störfu m mannréttin mann úðarmála, um mála á Filipps falið að standa var mannr
étt-
í sviði fyrir nokkr fyrir
þátttöku
behalf of 36 countries calling on the Kingdom
einkum á hafði því
þ.e. í júnílot eyjum og
leggja fyrir
skýrslugerð
um stöðu
anir í Genf, . Fastanefndin ðings sem
u ráðsins
2020. mannréttinda
alþjóðastofn sérsta klega s sérfræ Í hefðbundnum ráðið að ári
þurfti við gu staðarráðin
liðnu,
bregðast með ráðnin tveimur vikum
samningaviðræ
ðum um ályktun
rum verið styrkt sumarlotu ardrög
misse úrbætur á mannréttinda in sem fram
málum. textanum ráðsins komu fóru í fyrstu
sinnti þeim breytingar. og voru marga
Fulltrúar Filipps r þeirra teknar
fram ábend
ingar um
þar málati eyja komu til greina
lbúnaðinum til fyrsta samnin og gerðar
eftir atvikum viðeigandi
of Saudi Arabia to improve the situation of
Einnig kom hófsöm ályktun en gengu
síðan á dyr. gafundar
og mótmæ
heiman til yrði samþy Þeir léðu ltu
fulltrúi að vettvangi kkt með þeirra aldrei máls
efndinni mannréttinda samþykki, á því að
að veita fastan að gera úrbætu ráðsins þar eins og þó
liðstyrk í Meetin g Title: HRC r. 232019 sem ráðið
vinnur með
eru dæmi
um á
tímabundinn viðkomandi
mannréttind-
29.03.2019
Þegar atkvæð LAST TEMPLA ríki að því
fundalotum n i voru greidd TE
efla tengsli aðildar um ályktun
aráðsins og ríki ráðsins
L.20 - Promot
samþykktu ina 11. júlí
minnar í Genf ion and protecti
ályktun
2019 fóru
leikar
milli starfse on of human ina,
rights fimmtá
þannig að átján
human rights in the country. The statement
Date 2019-07-11
n sátu hjá
ytinu sjálfu.
Time 12:58
in the Philippi
ABST
og fjórtán
og ráðune AFGHANIST
AN
YES
nes
voru á móti.
taka sæti
NO CZECH REPUBLIC
Við það að
ANGOLA YES
sótti
ABST DEMOCRAT PERU
ráðinu sem Ísland
IC REPUBLIC
í mannréttinda
YES
ttindaráðsins
OF
afulltrúi,
ARGENTINA CONGO
g verkefna
NO
tu mannré tir varafast PHILIPPINES
í fyrstu fundalo Nína Björk Jónsdót Þórsson
YES
jókst umfan
YES DENMARK
Fulltrúar Íslands Frá vinstri: Þorvarður
Atli AUSTRALIA
mannrétt- meðlimur. ttinda í
NO
tengdum sérfræðingur, deildarstjóri mannré
NO
sem kjörinn
QATAR
Ragnarsdóttir
YES EGYPT
umtalsvert. Edda Björk Sigurðsson, ltrúi Íslands
í Genf. AUSTRIA
r, Davíð Logi
ABST
indaráðinu
marked a turning point as it was the first time
d, fastaful
NO RWANDA
sendiráðunautu, og Harald Aspelun
var í ríkis-
YES ERITREA
Samþykkt
BAHAMAS
utanríkisráðinu
NO
SAUDI ARABIA
2018 að gu fasta-
YES
ágúst styrkin
NO
í st
FIJI
stjórn turinn tengdi
BAHRAIN ABST
um króna i kostnaðarþát júlí að
NO SENEGAL
veita 95 milljón garinnar 13.
ABST HUNGARY
isins en stærst í kjölfar kosnin
BANGLADES YES
fastanefndar
H
til verkefn ráð strax
aukalega
YES SLOVAKIA
ð var á það sérfræðing
ABST ICELAND
Genf. Brugði mannréttinda
BRAZIL
nefndar í
NO
því að færa
NO SOMALIA
efndina með
YES INDIA
styrkja fastan
BULGARIA ABST
í Genf.
York til starfa amálastofnun
NO SOUTH AFRICA
that Saudi Arabia was subject to such collec-
við Alþjóð
ABST
Íslands í New
IRAQ
samkomulag anema
BURKINA
YES
amra háskól
FASO
ð að gera
YES SPAIN
ar var ákveði úr hópi áhugas -
NO ITALY
Þessu til viðbót starfsnema mannréttinda
CAMEROON ABST
að hún veldi fundalotum
ABST TOGO
um á ávallt
ABST
ar á meðan
JAPAN
Háskóla Íslands ni til aðstoð tryggja að
CHILE ABST
andi myndu
fastanefndin þess að sinna
YES TUNISIA
sem yrðu að viðkom
ráðsins auk
NO
út frá því
MEXICO
CHINA
Var gengið
YES
mannréttinda borið
rf gæti einnig
ABST
ráðsins stæði.
UKRAINE
í fundarsal
YES
þetta samsta
NEPAL
r í sæti Íslands um og þekk-
UNITED KINGDOM
var til að
CROATIA YES OF
væri einhve arsmíð
GREAT BRITAIN
Vonast
ABST
um. ritgerð
AND
tive criticism in the Council. Iceland also tabled
fræðilegum
NORTHERN
éttindastarf
NO
ari verkefn
NIGERIA
IRELAND
ýmsum einfald stuðla að
CUBA
þyrfti mannr
YES
með því að ljóst að efla
ABST URUGUAY
ávöxt, s.s.
PAKISTAN
gan Þá var
efnisle háskólans.
á vettvangi
YES
18
ingarsköpun Niðurstöður ABST
15
atkvæðagreiðslu
Íslands og í mannréttindará NO
fleiri ríkja 14
um stöðu
mannréttinda ðinu um ályktun
í Filippseyjum.
22 11/07/2019
23. Um 12:58:11
framgöng
a resolution on the promotion and protection
u fulltrúa
Filippseyj
a, sjá: opinion.in
quirer.net
/122418/p
hs-disinfo 1/1
rmation-c
ampaign-
in-geneva
29
of human rights in the Philippines, expressing
concern over allegations of human rights viola- A special report was published on Iceland’s participation
in the United Nations Human Rights Council in February of
tions in the Philippines, which was passed by
this year. With this report, the intention was to underline
the Council. that our efforts on the Human Rights Council were
made with full transparency and in close cooperation
with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Althingi and
the Government´s Steering Group on Human Rights.
12May 2020
The 75th anniversary of the United Nations MFA NEWS
The United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. This
milestone is an opportunity to look back to the past as well as Iceland and UNESCO sign a
framework agreement on
to the future, to remember the successful efforts in the fields
development cooperation
of human rights, peace and security, sustainable development,
26 April 2019 Iceland and the United
and to open up discussions on ways of meeting new challenges.
Nations Educational, Scientific and
The commemoration of the 75th anniversary was agreed through Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have
intergovernmental consultations led by Iceland and Singapore. signed a cooperation agreement in
the field of development coopera-
Awareness amongthe
Awareness among the general
general public
public of the Sustainable Development Goals
tion. The framework agreement is the
of the Sustainable Development Goals first of its kind between Iceland and
Yes, I know 100 Yes, I have heard 100 No, I have neither heard
UNESCO for development coopera-
100% tion. On the one hand, Iceland con-
of the SDGs about the SDGs of or know about the SDGs
80 80
80% tributes to a UNESCO project aiming
53.3%
50.6%
52.1%
45.2%
60 60 at strengthening the capacity of poor
42.6%
60%
35.9%
34.4%
countries to implement reform in the
27.3%
40 40
20.6%
40%
15.1%%
field of education. On the other hand,
12.2%
10.7%
20% 20 20
to the support aims at guarding the
0 0 0 freedom of expression and the safety
'17 '18 '19 '20 '17 '18 '19 '20 '17 '18 '19 '20 of journalists in developing countries.
The United Nations remain central in Iceland’s foreign policy.
Last year, Icelandic authorities presented its first Voluntary The Foreign minister
National Review (VNR) to the United Nations on the status of visits Sierra Leone
Iceland’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 9 October 2019 Foreign minister
Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson is in
Development. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for
Sierra Leone for a working visit where
the implementation of goals related to international affairs and he is studying the development coop-
development cooperation. eration projects of Iceland in the
country in the fields of fishing and
equality issues as well as meeting
with leaders to discuss the develop-
ment cooperation of the countries.
The minister commenced his journey
by visiting a primary school where
Iceland has supported a health-care
project for menstruating teenage girls,
aimed at reducing girl drop-out rates.
Adoption of Iceland’s
The Icelandic delegation at the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations. resolution on the human rights
situation in the Philippines
Negotiations with FAO and IFAD 11 July 2019 Today the United Nations
Human Rights Council adopted a res-
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs signed a formal agreement last
olution presented by Iceland in the
year with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Council on the status of human rights
Nations (FAO) for supporting the campaign against illegal fishing in the Philippines. 18 states sup-
and on technical assistance on oceanic matters. Formal coop- ported the resolution, 15 abstained
eration was also initiated with the International Fund for Agri- and 14 opposed the resolution. This is
the first time Iceland takes the initia-
cultural Development (IFAD) for utilizing Icelandic know-how, in
tive in this manner in the Council and
regards to the blue economy. Both institutions have their head- the first time a resolution is adopted
quarters in Rome. by the Council on the status of human
rights in the Philippines.
13Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020
New Policy for International
Development Cooperation
SAMVINNA
UM MARKMIÐIN
Iceland adopted a new policy for International Development Cooperation
in May 2019. The overarching goal of the policy is to reduce poverty, hunger,
and to promote well-being on the basis of human rights, gender equality,
and sustainable development. The policy supports the implementation of
the Sustainable Development Goals.
Malawi and Uganda are bilateral partner coun- armed conflict, climate change and poverty. In
tries. In both countries, Iceland works in part- the field of humanitarian assistance and emer-
nership with specific district authorities as well gency response, support and collaboration
as key UN organizations. Regional cooperation are channelled through key UN organizations.
has a wider scope and includes projects in Furthermore, Iceland has an active partnership
seven countries in East Africa focusing on the with the International Committee of the Red
use of geothermal energy, along with two coun- Cross (ICRC) and makes continued contribu-
tries in West-Africa, Sierra Leone and Libera, tions to projects implemented by civil society
where projects focus on fisheries and gender organizations in the field of development coop-
equality. Regional cooperation is implemented eration and humanitarian assistance.
in partnership with local actors and interna-
tional organisations. The Minister for Foreign
GRÓ – Capacity Development
Affairs and International Development Cooper-
In January, the former UN University training
ation visited Sierra Leone last year.
programmes on Gender Equality, Geothermal,
Iceland’s main partner organizations are: The Land Restoration and Fisheries were
World Bank, the United Nations Children’s Fund joined together under a new centre, GRÓ –
(UNICEF), the United Nations Entity for Gender International Centre for Capacity Development,
Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN in partnership with UNESCO. The Centre is the
Women), and the United Nations Population first multidisciplinary Category 2 Centre in
Fund (UNFPA). The demand for humanitarian UNESCO’s network and is as such closely linked
assistance continues to rise, exacerbated by to UNESCO’s mandate.
Multilateral
Multilateral development
development cooperation
cooperation2019
2019
777 8 43.500 194
A contribution of ISK 777 Iceland currently leads the coordi- people in Northern-Uganda benefit states contribute to the
million to several institutions nation effort among the Nordic- from a partnership with UNICEF Green Climate Fund. In
for emergency and humani- Baltic constituency, a faction of 8 strengthening the nexus of humani- 2019 Iceland doubled
tarian assistance. states, at the World Bank. tarian and development initiatives. its contribution.
Bilateraldevelopment
Bilateral developmentcooperation
cooperation2019
2019
13,000 40,000 88 2,000 81,000
homes in the township people in Sierra A contribution of ISK 88 million female workers enjoy people gained access to
of Mangochi in Malawi Leone gained access to the district level programme the benefits of improved maternity
received new toilet to clean water. based approaches in Malawi improved conditions at services in the township
facilities. and Uganda due to COVID-19. fisk markets in Uganda. of Mangochi in Malawi.
14May 2020
Greetings from the GRATITUDE
Consular Services
Each group of returning travellers was
celebrated by the Consular Services
team like a goal in a sporting match,
emotions running high and com-
pleted checklists enthusiastically torn
As the coronavirus pandemic was forcing borders to down from the drawing boards. It is a
good feeling to be able help people
close and disrupting international passenger flights, out of demanding circumstances
the Icelandic Foreign Service was working around the which have put all parties in question
clock to assist Icelanders abroad in finding their way to the test.
home. The situation had become quite complex for
some people, but thankfully we were able to solve I’ve probably been in more contact
with the Foreign Ministry than anyone
many of the problems they were facing. Our diplomatic else for the past seven days. They’ve
missions gathered information on travel restrictions been incredibly helpful, and I know
and available routes to provide people with the travel that they are working on some sort
of a solution for me and at least 30
advice they needed. other Icelanders that are stranded
here.” Sóldís Alda Óskarsdóttir, a
The Consular Services’ inbox has a special folder titled Love and traveller in Bali, told mbl.is
Romance, dedicated to distanced loved ones trying to reunite
at a time when normal flight routes were largely disrupted. “I’m thankful for this adventure,
Reuniting lovers was an especially rewarding task for us! the help and the unity I have felt
throughout this whole process.” An
We are thankful for the fact that 12 thousand individuals regis- unnamed traveller said as he came
tered with the Consular Services giving us a clearer picture of home from South America.
the challenge we were facing. We called many of those people
to check whether they still needed our assistance. While some- „AFS in Iceland would like to express
times surprised by the call, most were happy to hear from us. its appreciation to the Foreign
Ministry for their invaluable help and
The letters of appreciation we received further motivated us to
good cooperation over the past few
continue our work.
weeks. Professionalism and problem
solving has been the connecting
theme throughout,” the international
youth exchange organization AFS
wrote on Facebook.
“When I told my [foreign] in-laws
that you had called to check up on
me, they were speechless. I am very
thankful for being an Icelander in
these times,” an unnamed traveller
wrote to the Foreign Ministry.
Now, when most of those who wanted to return to Iceland have
landed safely, the Consular Services return to normal. Therefore,
we remind you to renew your passports so you will be ready to
go when travel restrictions are lifted. Our diplomatic missions
and consuls are always at your service - but thinking ahead
always pays off.
Kind regards,
the Consular Services
15Foreign affairs Excerpt from the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation to the Parliament 2020 Government of Iceland Ministry for Foreign Affairs
You can also read
