Foreign Minister participates in the EEA Council meeting

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ossur Skarphedinsson, participated in the 31st meeting of the EEA Council in Brussels yesterday, 19 March 2009. on the overall functioning of the European Econonmic Area. Minister Skarphedinsson served as Chairman on behalf of the EFTA countries; Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Meeting participants discussed a wide range of issues, including ways to respond to the global economic crisis, strengthened rules and legislation for the financial sector and developments in the Middle East, Afghanistan and US-European Relations

The Foreign Minister briefed colleagues on the economic situation in Iceland and the measures being taken in response. The EEA Council meetings are held twice a year in conjunction with meetings of the General Affairs Council (EU Foreign Ministers).

Minister Skarphedinsson also informed representatives of the European Commission and Ministerial colleagues, including the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, about the Icelandic Government’s decision earlier in the week to submit a resolution proposal to Parliament on Iceland's application for accession to the European Union.