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Iceland took control of its foreign affairs in 1918 when it became a sovereign country, theKingdom of Iceland, in a personal union with theKing of Denmark. As a fully independent state, Iceland could have joined theLeague of Nations in 1920, but chose not to do so for cost reasons. It negotiated withDenmark 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 inCopenhagen. Iceland established its own Foreign Service in April 1940[1] when Denmark becameoccupied byNazi 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 theNordic 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 andNATO in 1949.[1] In terms of European integration, Iceland was a founding member of theOEEC (now OECD) in 1948 and theNordic Council in 1952, it joinedEFTA in 1970, was a founding member of the CSCE (now OSCE) in 1973 and theEEA in 1992 and joinedSchengen 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 theCold War.[2] As a consequence, the United States provided Iceland with extensive economic assistance and diplomatic support.[2] Iceland hosted the historic 1986Reagan-Gorbachev summit inReykjavík, which set the stage for the end of the Cold War.
Iceland's principal historical international disputes involved disagreements overfishing rights. Conflict with the United Kingdom led to the so-calledCod 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 theBarents Sea were successfully resolved in 2000.
Certainenvironmentalists are concerned that Iceland left theInternational 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 theFaroe 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). TheIcelandic Fisheries Ministry issued a permit to hunt 39 whales for commercial purposes on 17 October 2006.[7] 25 states delivered a formaldiplomatic 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 asFinland andSweden.[8]
Iceland was the first country to recognize the regained independence ofLithuania,Latvia,Estonia, Georgia,Armenia andAzerbaijan from theUSSR in 1990–1991. Similarly, it was the first country to recognizeMontenegro's independence from its former union withSerbia.[9] Iceland was also the first country to recognizeCroatia, having done so on 19 December 1991.[10] Significantly, Iceland was also the first Western state torecognisePalestine when it did so in 2011.[11] Iceland also is the greatest Nordic contributor per capita to NATO-led troops inBosnia andKosovo, to the police in Bosnia and to Bosnian/Kosovan reconstruction, resettlement and relief efforts.[citation needed]
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 theInternational 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 theInternational Whaling Commission.
Iceland was given the opportunity tojoin 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]
Iceland has an ongoing dispute withDenmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands) on the one hand and with the UK and Ireland on the other hand, concerning claims to thecontinental shelf in the Hatton–Rockall area of the North Atlantic under theUN 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]
Following the collapse ofIcesave sparking the2008–2011 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 in2010 and2011, 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.
Iceland has had a close relationship with theEuropean Union (EU) throughout its development, but has remained outside (instead, joining theEuropean Free Trade Area or EFTA). In 1972, the two sides signed afree trade agreement and in 1994 Iceland joined theEuropean Economic Area which let itself and other non-EU states have access to theEU'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 andforeign direct investment. Iceland also participates in theSchengen 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 theeuro. 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]
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, theU.S. Air Force committed itself to maintaining four to sixinterceptors at theKeflavík 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 conductair policing after the U.S. Air Force withdrawal.
List of countries which Iceland maintains diplomatic relations with:
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# | Country | Date[24] |
1 | ![]() | 1 December 1918 |
2 | ![]() | 8 May 1940 |
3 | ![]() | 27 July 1940 |
4 | ![]() | 29 August 1940 |
5 | ![]() | 1 July 1941 |
6 | ![]() | 4 October 1943 |
7 | ![]() | 15 August 1945 |
8 | ![]() | 9 November 1945 |
9 | ![]() | 18 November 1945 |
10 | ![]() | 9 January 1946 |
11 | ![]() | 27 February 1946 |
12 | ![]() | 14 November 1946 |
13 | ![]() | 6 June 1947 |
14 | ![]() | 15 July 1947 |
15 | ![]() | 15 August 1947 |
16 | ![]() | 23 January 1948 |
17 | ![]() | 11 March 1948 |
18 | ![]() | 15 March 1948 |
19 | ![]() | 20 September 1949 |
20 | ![]() | 10 August 1951[25] |
21 | ![]() | 21 April 1952[26] |
22 | ![]() | 28 April 1952[27] |
23 | ![]() | 10 July 1952 |
24 | ![]() | 27 February 1953 |
25 | ![]() | 17 July 1955 |
26 | ![]() | 26 January 1956[28] |
27 | ![]() | 18 May 1956 |
28 | ![]() | 8 December 1956 |
29 | ![]() | 25 November 1957 |
30 | ![]() | 6 June 1958 |
31 | ![]() | 30 July 1962 |
32 | ![]() | 10 October 1962 |
33 | ![]() | 6 November 1963 |
34 | ![]() | 19 November 1963 |
35 | ![]() | 24 March 1964 |
36 | ![]() | 20 July 1964 |
37 | ![]() | 14 November 1967 |
38 | ![]() | 20 May 1968 |
39 | ![]() | 20 May 1968 |
40 | ![]() | 26 January 1970 |
41 | ![]() | 14 May 1970 |
42 | ![]() | 3 November 1970 |
43 | ![]() | 14 December 1971 |
44 | ![]() | 11 May 1972 |
45 | ![]() | 28 March 1973 |
46 | ![]() | 27 July 1973 |
47 | ![]() | 5 August 1973 |
48 | ![]() | 30 October 1973 |
49 | ![]() | 4 June 1974 |
50 | ![]() | 18 March 1975 |
51 | ![]() | 18 June 1975 |
52 | ![]() | 9 April 1976 |
– | ![]() | 12 October 1976 |
53 | ![]() | 7 December 1976[29] |
54 | ![]() | 20 July 1977 |
55 | ![]() | 11 October 1977[30] |
56 | ![]() | 17 November 1977[31] |
57 | ![]() | 20 April 1978[31] |
58 | ![]() | 23 November 1978[31] |
59 | ![]() | 20 May 1978 |
60 | ![]() | 29 September 1978 |
61 | ![]() | 9 April 1979 |
62 | ![]() | 4 September 1979 |
63 | ![]() | 15 January 1981 |
64 | ![]() | 25 May 1981 |
65 | ![]() | 15 September 1981 |
66 | ![]() | 15 January 1982 |
67 | ![]() | 16 December 1982 |
68 | ![]() | 14 January 1983 |
69 | ![]() | 17 May 1983 |
70 | ![]() | 13 June 1983 |
71 | ![]() | 20 July 1983 |
72 | ![]() | 24 August 1983 |
73 | ![]() | 12 February 1984 |
74 | ![]() | 20 March 1985 |
75 | ![]() | 24 September 1985 |
76 | ![]() | 2 November 1988[30] |
77 | ![]() | 21 October 1988 |
78 | ![]() | 30 January 1990 |
79 | ![]() | 5 April 1990[30] |
80 | ![]() | 8 November 1990 |
81 | ![]() | 5 December 1990[32] |
82 | ![]() | 10 December 1990 |
83 | ![]() | 18 June 1991 |
84 | ![]() | 26 August 1991 |
85 | ![]() | 26 August 1991 |
86 | ![]() | 26 August 1991 |
87 | ![]() | 24 February 1992 |
88 | ![]() | 26 February 1992 |
89 | ![]() | 30 March 1992 |
90 | ![]() | 26 June 1992[31] |
91 | ![]() | 30 June 1992 |
92 | ![]() | 21 September 1992 |
93 | ![]() | 1 January 1993[33] |
94 | ![]() | 25 January 1993 |
95 | ![]() | 5 August 1993 |
96 | ![]() | 3 December 1993 |
97 | ![]() | 29 December 1993 |
98 | ![]() | 31 May 1994 |
99 | ![]() | 1 June 1994 |
100 | ![]() | 3 August 1995 |
101 | ![]() | 26 April 1996 |
102 | ![]() | 8 May 1996 |
103 | ![]() | 10 January 1997 |
104 | ![]() | 13 February 1997 |
105 | ![]() | 5 March 1997 |
106 | ![]() | 15 May 1997 |
107 | ![]() | 25 September 1997 |
108 | ![]() | 27 February 1998 |
109 | ![]() | 3 July 1998 |
110 | ![]() | 14 August 1998 |
111 | ![]() | 23 December 1998 |
112 | ![]() | 24 February 1999 |
113 | ![]() | 4 May 1999 |
114 | ![]() | 4 June 1999 |
115 | ![]() | 4 April 2000[34] |
116 | ![]() | 24 May 2000 |
117 | ![]() | 25 October 2000 |
118 | ![]() | 2 April 2001[35] |
119 | ![]() | 25 May 2001 |
120 | ![]() | 23 October 2001 |
121 | ![]() | 24 January 2002 |
122 | ![]() | 13 June 2003 |
123 | ![]() | 19 June 2003 |
124 | ![]() | 23 June 2003 |
125 | ![]() | 17 September 2003 |
126 | ![]() | 4 December 2003 |
127 | ![]() | 11 December 2003 |
128 | ![]() | 15 December 2003 |
129 | ![]() | 17 February 2004 |
130 | ![]() | 11 March 2004 |
131 | ![]() | 15 March 2004 |
132 | ![]() | 17 March 2004 |
133 | ![]() | 17 March 2004 |
134 | ![]() | 7 April 2004 |
135 | ![]() | 14 April 2004 |
136 | ![]() | 5 May 2004 |
137 | ![]() | 6 May 2004 |
138 | ![]() | 11 May 2004 |
139 | ![]() | 12 May 2004 |
140 | ![]() | 14 May 2004 |
141 | ![]() | 14 May 2004 |
142 | ![]() | 27 May 2004 |
143 | ![]() | 22 June 2004[36][37] |
144 | ![]() | 29 June 2004 |
145 | ![]() | 7 July 2004 |
146 | ![]() | 23 July 2004 |
147 | ![]() | 23 July 2004 |
148 | ![]() | 12 August 2004 |
149 | ![]() | 2 September 2004 |
150 | ![]() | 10 September 2004 |
151 | ![]() | 15 September 2004 |
152 | ![]() | 17 September 2004 |
153 | ![]() | 24 September 2004 |
154 | ![]() | 27 September 2004 |
155 | ![]() | 27 September 2004 |
156 | ![]() | 6 October 2004 |
157 | ![]() | 6 October 2004 |
158 | ![]() | 6 October 2004 |
159 | ![]() | 15 October 2004 |
160 | ![]() | 29 October 2004 |
161 | ![]() | 9 November 2004 |
162 | ![]() | 19 November 2004 |
163 | ![]() | 15 December 2004 |
164 | ![]() | 23 February 2005 |
165 | ![]() | 10 March 2005 |
166 | ![]() | 27 May 2005 |
167 | ![]() | 19 July 2005 |
168 | ![]() | 26 July 2005 |
169 | ![]() | 15 September 2005 |
170 | ![]() | 14 October 2005 |
171 | ![]() | 18 November 2005 |
172 | ![]() | 14 February 2006 |
173 | ![]() | 27 April 2006 |
174 | ![]() | 7 May 2006 |
175 | ![]() | 21 September 2006 |
176 | ![]() | 26 September 2006 |
177 | ![]() | 13 November 2006 |
178 | ![]() | 28 November 2006 |
179 | ![]() | 14 December 2006 |
180 | ![]() | 23 February 2007[38] |
181 | ![]() | 20 April 2007 |
182 | ![]() | 19 September 2007 |
183 | ![]() | 24 September 2007 |
184 | ![]() | 14 December 2007 |
185 | ![]() | 8 February 2008 |
186 | ![]() | 29 September 2011 |
– | ![]() | 14 November 2011 |
– | ![]() | 15 December 2011 |
187 | ![]() | 19 December 2012 |
188 | ![]() | 8 May 2013 |
189 | ![]() | 5 May 2014 |
– | ![]() | 13 October 2017 |
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]
Country | Diplomatic Relations Established | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 2001 |
|
![]() | 2001 | |
![]() | 1989 |
|
![]() | 2004 | |
![]() | 2006 | |
![]() | 2004 |
Country | Diplomatic Relations Established | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 1947 | SeeCanada–Iceland relations |
![]() | 2004 | |
![]() | 24 March 1964 | SeeIceland–Mexico relations
|
![]() | 2004 |
|
![]() | 27 May 2004 | |
![]() | 2004 | Iceland is represented in Saint Kitts and Nevis by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.[54] |
![]() | 1 July 1941 | SeeIceland–United States relations Iceland and the U.S. areNATO allies. The United States prides itself on being the first country to recognize the regained independence of Iceland. |
Country | Diplomatic Relations Established | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 1971 | SeeChina–Iceland relations
|
![]() | 1972 | SeeIceland–India relations
|
![]() | 1948 | |
![]() | May 1948 | SeeIceland–Israel relations |
![]() | 8 December 1956 | SeeIceland–Japan relations
|
![]() | 1976 | Pakistan maintain cordinal diplomatic relations with Iceland.[63] |
![]() | 2011 | SeeIceland–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] |
![]() | 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 inReykjavík[65] andMakati,Metro Manila,[66] respectively. |
![]() | 10 October 1962[67] | SeeIceland–South Korea relations
|
![]() | 1957 | SeeIceland–Turkey relations |
Country | Diplomatic Relations Established | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 1976 | |
![]() | 1928 |
|
![]() | 1945 | |
![]() | 1979 |
|
![]() | 1993-01-01 | SeeCzech Republic–Iceland relations |
![]() | 1918 | SeeDenmark–Iceland relations Iceland was a part of theKingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1918 and aseparate kingdom in apersonal union with Denmark until 1944, whenIceland declared independence.
|
![]() | 1947 | SeeFinland–Iceland relations
|
![]() | 1945 | SeeFrance–Iceland relations |
![]() | 1952 | SeeGermany–Iceland relations
|
![]() | 1958 | SeeGreece–Iceland relations |
![]() | 1955 | Hungary is represented in Iceland by its embassy inOslo, Norway.[83]
|
![]() | 11 March 1948 | SeeIceland–Ireland relations
|
![]() | 1945 |
|
![]() | 1991-08-22 | SeeIceland–Latvia relations
|
![]() | 1991-08-05 |
|
![]() | 1946 |
|
![]() | 1993 |
|
![]() | 1940 | SeeIceland–Norway relations |
![]() | January 1946 | SeeIceland–Poland relations |
![]() | 1943 | SeeIceland–Russia relations
|
![]() | 2000 | |
![]() | 1949 | SeeIceland–Spain relations
|
![]() | 1940 | SeeIceland–Sweden relations |
![]() | 1947 |
|
![]() | 1992 | SeeIceland–Ukraine relations |
![]() | 1940 | SeeIceland–United Kingdom relations Iceland establisheddiplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 8 May 1940.[24]
The UK occupiedIceland from 10 May 1940 until July 1941, when the United States assumed responsibility of the country.[115] The two countries have a sovereignty dispute over theRockall Bank. Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact,[116]Council of Europe,Joint Expeditionary Force,NATO,OECD,OSCE, and theWorld Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have afree trade agreement.[117] |
Country | Diplomatic Relations Established | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 1988 |
Russia received a similar official request late on Tuesday and the country's Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin was quoted by Interfax as saying: "We will consider it. Iceland has a reputation for strict budget discipline and has a high credit rating. We're looking favorably at the request." Negotiations on the loan are supposed to start on October 14.
Prime Minister Geir Haarde rushed emergency measures through the Nordic nation's parliament to nationalise Landsbanki and give the country's largest bank, Kaupthing, a £400m loan to bolster its balance sheet.
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