Iceland and Baltic States mark 25th anniversary of reestablishment of diplomatic relations

The Foreign Ministers of the three Baltic States and Iceland attended a signing ceremony yesterday in Reykjavík, to mark the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations and Iceland's recognition of independence of the Baltic States. The Ministers signed a declaration reaffirming their strong interest in fostering continued cooperation and mutual friendship, as well as firm commitment to prosperity and stability in the region and Europe as a whole.

Jürgen Ligi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Linas Antanas Linkevičius, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, signed the declaration, in the attendance of officials from the four states, Deputy Mayor of Reykjavik and former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson, who was instrumental in pushing for recognizing the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The Icelandic and Baltic Foreign Ministers also had a meeting with Prime Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, discussing the situation in Syria, the refugee crisis and security in Europe.

The Foreign Ministers also took part in a seminar focussing on Nordic-Baltic cooperation, with Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, as keynote speaker.