Iceland–Ireland relations
Bilateral relations
Iceland–Ireland relations are the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Iceland and the Republic of Ireland . Both nations are members of the European Economic Area , Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations .
History
Connections between Iceland and Ireland began circa 700s or 800s when Irish monks first explored Iceland as mentioned in the books by Irish monk and geographer Dicuil . [1] When Norse explorers arrived to Iceland, many encountered the Irish monks on the island who they called " Papar " (papists) for the religious books they would leave behind on the island. [2] When Norse settlers arrived, many of the Irish monks left Iceland because they would not inhabit a country of " pagans ". [2] During the following centuries, more Norse explorers would come to Iceland and bring with them Irish women who were slaves to Iceland producing Iceland's current genetic make-up among its population. [3]
During World War II both Iceland ( in personal union with the Kingdom of Denmark ) and Ireland remained neutral. Iceland became a republic in June 1944 . On 11 March 1948, both Iceland and Ireland established diplomatic relations. [4] In 1960, Iceland joined the European Free Trade Association while Ireland joined the European Union in 1973. In 2003, both nations signed a double taxation agreement. [5] After the 2008 banking crisis that affected heavily the two nations, [6] Iceland began the formal application process to join the EU; however, Ireland raised concerns over Iceland's over fishing of the mackerel which Ireland stated that Iceland fished more than its share of the fish. [7] In 2013, Iceland pulled its application for joining the EU, wishing instead to remain outside the union. [8]
Both nations are served with direct flights provided by airlines Icelandair and Play .
State visits
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Faroe_stamp_253_Europe_and_the_Discoveries.jpg/220px-Faroe_stamp_253_Europe_and_the_Discoveries.jpg)
Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits from Iceland to Ireland [9] [10]
- President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (1991)
- Prime Minister Geir Haarde (2007)
Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Iceland [1] [11] [12]
- President Mary Robinson (1991, 1996)
- Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (2001)
Trade
Both Iceland and Ireland trade under the European Single Market with Iceland belonging to the European Free Trade Association and Ireland being a full member of the European Union . In 2015, total trade between Iceland the European Union (which includes Ireland) totaled €5.7 billion. [13]
Diplomatic missions
- Iceland is accredited to Ireland from its embassy in London , United Kingdom . [14]
- Ireland is accredited to Iceland from it embassy in Copenhagen , Denmark . [15]
See also
References
- 1 2 State visits by Irish President Mary Robinson to Iceland
- 1 2 "Saga Museum: Papar" . Archived from the original on 2015-01-02 . Retrieved 2016-11-07 .
- ↑ The Irish Times: Why people in Iceland look just like us
- ↑ Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ireland (in Icelandic)
- ↑ Iceland concludes a double taxation agreement with Ireland (in Icelandic)
- ↑ The Iceland and Ireland Banking Crises: Lessons for the Future
- ↑ Iceland's growing mackerel catch muddies waters for EU bid
- ↑ Iceland: No Longer Eager to Join E.U.
- ↑ President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir in Ireland (in Icelandic)
- ↑ Icelandic leader's visit focuses on trade links
- ↑ Official Visits
- ↑ Bertie Ahern visits Iceland
- ↑ "European Union, Trade in goods with Iceland" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-11-07 . Retrieved 2016-11-07 .
- ↑ Embassy of Iceland in London
- ↑ Embassy of Ireland in Copenhagen
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