Over 70 Foreign Ambassadors participated in the National Day celebrations

Ambassadors from 72 countries participated in the traditional national day celebrations on June 17 in Reykjavík. The participation of foreign representatives has been an inseperable part of the official celebrations and an important venue for Icelandic authorities to strengthen ties with friends from all over the world. During their stay in Iceland the Ambassadors participated in the official national day programme on Parliament square and met with Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, the President of Iceland, and Ms Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The majority of foreign Ambassadors accredited to Iceland reside outside Iceland, mostly in the Nordic capitals or in London. Other Ambassadors traveled from further afield. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs considers the visits associated with the national day a very important opportunity to meet with foreign representatives and continue to build on Iceland's diplomatic relations.