Iceland–Norway relations

Icelandic–Norwegian relations

Iceland
Norway
The Icelandic embassy in Norway.

Iceland–Norway relations are foreign relations between Iceland and Norway. Iceland has an embassy in Oslo and Norway has an embassy in Reykjavík.

Both countries are full members of Council of Europe, Nordic Council, NATO, Council of the Baltic Sea States, and the European Free Trade Association.

Early history

Iceland was settled in medieval times, mainly by Norwegian people. The first wave probably started in 860, and saw its heyday from about 870 to 930.[1] Iceland and Norway formed a common Norse cultural area in the North Sea, and much of Norway's history was chronicled by Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson.[2] Iceland was brought under Norwegian rule around 1262. This lasted until the Kalmar Union in 1380,[1] which united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway (with Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Shetland and Orkney), and Sweden (including some of Finland) under a single monarch. In the union, Denmark was the stronger country, and eventually gained rule over both Norway and Iceland (as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands). Norway left this relationship in 1814, and Iceland in 1944.

Economy and production

Whaling

The two countries share a common history with regard to whaling and have often joined forces with Japan to resist international calls to reduce commercial whaling. Both countries have resisted signing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species that bans the trade in whale meat. The High North Alliance, which represents whalers, sealers and fishermen around the Arctic said "It's a legal import and a legal export, and in future might give access to a market that's really big for both Norwegian and Icelandic whalers".[3]

In 1992, Iceland and Norway jointly announced they would recommence commercial whaling on certain species after a 6-year moratorium.[4]

In 2002, Norway announced that it would allow a whaling company to export 10 to 15 tonnes of minke whale products to Iceland. This was condemned by the British Government as it was claimed the whale stocks they come from are on an international endangered species list.[5] In 2006, the Icelandic fisheries ministry announced that it would authorise commercial whaling again, making it only the second country after Norway to hunt whales for commercial reasons.[6]

Economic assistance

In light of the 2008–2012 Icelandic financial crisis, the Norwegian government provided Iceland with a €500 million 5-year loan[7] to stabilise the Icelandic króna in November 2008. The Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said after meeting Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde that "We want to show our support for the international initiative and we will be providing support to Iceland in the near future."[8]

Foreign policy and defence

In 2007, the two countries signed a defence agreement, covering surveillance and military defense of Icelandic air space and economic zone. It means that Norwegian jet fighters and surveillance aircraft will be patrolling Icelandic air space. It is underlined that the agreement with Norway only covers peace time. In case of a military conflict it is still NATO and the United States Government that will carry the main responsibility for Iceland's defence.[9] The agreement was signed following the decision to pullout US military from the Keflavík naval air base in 2006.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Norseng, Per G.; Julsrud, Ottar (2007). "Island – historie". In Henriksen, Petter. Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  2. ↑ Wærdahl, Randi. "Snorre Sturlason". In Helle, Knut. Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  3. ↑ Black, Richard (18 November 2008). "Japan approves whalemeat import". BBC News. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  4. ↑ "Norway, Iceland to break moratorium on whaling". Toledo Blade. 30 June 1992. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "UK condemns Norway's plans to trade whale products with Iceland". M2 Presswire. 3 July 2002. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  6. ↑ "Iceland whaling 'disturbing'". Courier Mail. 18 October 2006. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  7. ↑ "Norway offers 500m euro loan to Iceland". In the News.co.uk. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  8. ↑ "Norway Formin says govt will offer loan to Iceland". Forbes. Reuters. 3 November 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2009. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Monday the Norwegian government would provide crisis-hit Iceland with a loan and that it was imperative to stabilise the Icelandic crown.
  9. ↑ "Norway, Iceland to sign defense agreement". People's Daily Online. Xinhua. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  10. ↑ "Norway, Iceland to boost defence cooperation". Reuters. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2009. Norway and Iceland will sign an agreement on Thursday to step up defence cooperation to improve the Atlantic island nation's security following the U.S. withdrawal from the Keflavik naval air base, officials said on Tuesday.
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