Foreign Minister attending NATO anniversary Summit

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson, will attend the 60th anniversary NATO Summit, which will be held on the 3 – 4 April in Strasbourg/ Kehl and Baden-Baden. The Summit is hosted by two Allies, Germany and France, to mark the friendship and cooperation of these two European partners.

The Summit also marks the formal confirmation of the historical decision by the French government to resume full participation in all civil and military decision-making and planning processes of NATO.

The Summit will discuss the future role of the Alliance, long-term relations with Russia, NATO’s operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo and the continued adjustment of defence structures in a changing world. The NATO leaders will adopt a number of key documents, including a final communiqué, a Declaration on Allied Security and a statement on the Alliance’s mission in Afghanistan.

Albania and Croatia will participate as full members of NATO which emphasizes that the doors of the Alliance remian open to any European democratcy wishing to become a member and fulfilling the Alliance’s membership-criteria.

Due to her hectic schedule, the Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, will not be able to attend the Summit. Her place will be filled the the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Further information about the NATO Summit can be found on: www.natio.int