Iceland and UK to further strengthen relations

Iceland and the United Kingdom have today agreed on a Joint Vision outlining the main areas of cooperation between the two countries for the next 10 years. Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Iceland’s Foreign Minister and Wendi Morton United Kingdom’s Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas signed the joint declaration. The main aim of the Joint Vision for 2030 agreement is to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries with joint initiatives aimed at increasing prosperity, sustainability and security. Due to the Covid-19 situation the meeting took place via video link.

Minister Þórðarson said after the meeting: “Iceland and the United Kingdom celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations this year. Today I signed a joint declaration with the UK that marks a milestone in the relationship of our states. The Vision 2030 paper is a testament both to the close connection between Iceland and the UK and the common emphasis both states attach to deepening further our cooperation and partnership in a number of areas.”

On this occasion the Ministers discussed the important and historic bonds the two nations share with regards to economic affairs, investments, business and possible opportunities that a new comprehensive free trade agreement will bring. They both welcomed the fact that last week the first meeting between our Chief Negotiators on the future relationship took place and agreed on the importance to start negotiations on the free trade agreement as soon as possible with a view to its entry into force at the end of the year.
The Ministers recalled that 80 years ago Iceland and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations and that today’s signing is an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship of these two neighbouring countries in the North Atlantic. Vision 2030 builds upon our shared values with the aim to increase prosperity, sustainability and security, both within the two states and internationally.

Based on the Agreement Iceland and the UK want to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation in the decade to come and aim for regular consultations to assess results with focus on these seven areas:
• Business and investment
• Fisheries
• Research and innovation
• Regional and international cooperation
• Defense and security
• Climate Change and the Arctic Relations between the nations

The Ambassador of Iceland to the UK and the Ambassador of the UK to Iceland will lead the project to make sure that goals are met, success evaluated, and that the cooperation will indeed bring about the desirable gains.

• The text of the Joint Declaration.