Foreign relations of Iceland

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Iceland

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Iceland

Constitution President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde (Independ.) Alþing Ombudsman Political parties Politicians Elections: 2004, 2007 Foreign relations Iceland and the EU Cod War Agreed Minute Diplomatic missions

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Iceland maintains diplomatic and commercial relations with practically all nations, but its ties with other Nordic states, with the US, and with the other NATO nations are particularly close. Icelanders remain especially proud of the role Iceland played in hosting the historic 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Reykjavík, which set the stage for the end of the Cold War.

Iceland's principal historical international disputes involved disagreements over fishing rights. Conflict with Britain led to the so-called Cod Wars in 1952-1956 because of extension of Fishing zone from 3 to 4 nautical miles (6 to 7 km), 1958-1961 because of extending the fishing zone to 12 nautical miles (22 km) in 1972-1973 because of extension to 50 nautical miles and in 1975 to 1976 because of extension to 200 nautical miles (370 km). Disagreements with Norway and Russia over fishing rights in the Barents Sea were successfully resolved in 2000. 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 its own commission—which the US does not recognize—along with Norway, Greenland, and the Faroes for the conservation, management, and study of marine mammals. Since then, Iceland has resumed whaling for scientific purpose and has rejoined the IWC, which it did in October 2002.

The Icelandic Fisheries Ministry issued a permit to hunt 39 whales for commercial purposes on 17 October 2006^[1]. 25 nations delivered a formal diplomatic protest (called a "demarche") to the Icelandic government on 1 November concerning resumed commercial whaling. The protest was led by the UK and signed by nations including the US, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Finland and Sweden^[2].

Iceland prides itself on being the first country to recognize the regained independence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from USSR in 1990-1991. Similarly, it was the first country to recognize Montenegro's independence from its former union with Serbia[[1]]. Iceland also is the greatest Nordic contributor per capita to NATO-led troops in Bosnia and Kosovo, to police in Bosnia, and to Bosnia/Kosovo reconstruction, resettlement, and relief.

Through the various international organizations in which it participates, Iceland has also increased its involvement in Third World affairs, focusing on development assistance and trade.

Contents 1 Membership in international organizations 2 International disputes 3 See also 4 External links 5 References

[edit] Membership in international organizations

Iceland is a member of the following organizations: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; Organization for Security and Coöperation in Europe; Western European Union (associate member); 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 Area; Council of Europe; International Criminal Police Organization; and the United Nations, since November 19th 1946, and most of its specialized agencies, including the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, Food and Agricultural 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. The Icelandic government does currently finance two Programs of the United Nations University that are located in Iceland, The Geothermal Training Programme since 1979 and The Fisheries Training Programme since 1998.

[edit] International disputes

Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark on behalf of Faroe Islands, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)

[edit] See also

• Icelandic diplomatic missions

[edit] External links

• Icelandic Foreign Service Iceland's embassies and missions abroad

• Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign representations in Iceland

• Canadian Embassy in Iceland
• United States Embassy in Reykjavik

[edit] References