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Icelandic Foreign Affairs 2018 MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ICELANDIC FOREIGN AFFAIRS 2018 Excerpt from the report by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to Parliament 2018 International cooperation: Economics, trade, defence, and politics OSCE Andorra Bosnia and Kazakhstan Monaco San Marino Ukraine Armenia Herzegovina Kyrgizstan Mongolia Serbia Uzbekistan Azerbaijan Georgia Macedonia Montenegro Tajikistan Belarus Holy See Moldova Russia Turkmenistan SCHENGEN EEA EFTA EU Liechtenstein EUROZONE OECD Australia Chile Switzerland Sweden Austria Cyprus Israel Finland Ireland Japan Malta Mexico NATO New Zealand South Korea Belgium Lithuania Canada Czech Estonia Luxembourg United Iceland Republic States France Netherlands Norway Denmark Turkey Germany Portugal Hungary Greece Slovakia Poland Italy Slovenia Latvia Spain United Kingdom Bulgaria Albania Croatia Romania Published by: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 2018 / Photos: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Reykjavík Museum of Photography, OSCE, UN Photo Library, NATO, Council of Europe, WTO, Wikimedia Commons, Norden.org 100 YEARS OF SOVEREIGNTY IN ICELAND 1918 - 2018 100 Years Sovereignty in Iceland / Nordic Council flag / Embassy shield of the Kingdom of Iceland, used until 1944 / Minister for Foreign Affairs with António Guterres, SG of the UN From Home Rule to Sustainable Development Goals This year we are commemo- the EEA Agreement to make an impact on new EEA rules rating the centenary of and to communicate Iceland’s views early in the process. Iceland becoming a free Significant effort is needed in this area. and sovereign nation with the passage of the Danish– I have often, both verbally and in writing, drawn attention Icelandic Act of Union to the fact that Icelanders must adapt its working methods in 1918. It was then that to changes in global trade patterns. Trade channels that were Iceland formally entered once straight and wide are now subject to a different set of the community of nations ground rules in a fast-moving, technology-driven world. and began its shared journey In order to gain a foothold in export markets in far-flung with Western countries that corners of the world and increase our export revenues, we enjoy freedom, democracy, must use all of the tools at our disposal, not least the Foreign and an open economy. From the outset, Iceland’s foreign Service. Following the publication of a new report entitled policy objectives have been clear: To ensure security and Foreign Service for the Future, Protecting our Interests in defence for the country, to protect Iceland’s trade interests a Constantly Changing World, we are implementing 151 and cultural independence, and to honour the fundamental proposals, and it is safe to say that we are now in the midst of values of human rights, humanitarianism, and equal rights. the most extensive changes in Foreign Service in a long time. We ensure our security through active participation in The Foreign Service is a living tool whose purpose is to Western defence cooperation, NATO, and through the protect Iceland’s wide-ranging interests abroad. Interests Defence Agreement with the United States. Sound defence and points of focus change, of course, and the Foreign and participation in effective monitoring of the North Service must take this into account. Iceland’s Diplomatic Atlantic are of paramount importance in this regard. Upon Missions benefit from local knowledge and networks, and gaining sovereignty, Iceland began its successful collaboration they provide companies with a diverse range of services. with its Nordic neighbours. Next year, Iceland will lead this Currently, emphasis is not least on strengthening services to Nordic cooperation and will assume the presidency of the innovation companies, the high-tech industry, creative fields, Arctic Council. and the image of Iceland and its people. Ever since Icelanders took charge of their own foreign As Minister for Foreign Affairs I have worked to further the affairs, the Foreign Service has attempted to protect export values Iceland stands for: human rights, equal rights, LGBTQ interests and work towards free trade for the benefit of the rights, development cooperation, and environmental protec- Icelandic people. This includes membership of the European tion. Over the course of the journey we embarked upon Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic in 1918, Icelanders have navigated dire straits successfully. Area (EEA). Iceland has been fortunate enough to navigate We have created an open, diverse society with connections these matters successfully, and the Government’s clear posi- around the world, and are participants in a global commu- tion is that Iceland’s interests are best protected by remaining nity determined to reach the United Nations’ Sustainable outside the European Union (EU). On the other hand, we Development Goals. need to take advantage of the opportunities we have under Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs 1 FOREIGN SERVICE FOR THE FUTURE The report "Foreign Service for the Future, Protecting our Interests in a Constantly Changing World" is the result of extensive work taking place within the Ministry and in consultation with a large number of other stakeholders. It presents 151 proposals for ways to strengthen Foreign Service work, its objectives, and its vision for the future. It is safe to say that this project is the largest undertaken in a long time in connection with changes in Iceland’s Foreign Service. Home-based Ambassadors Division for Information Defence Directorate will be prepared Within the new Office of the and Analysis to address the current uncertainty Permanent Secretary of State is a The Foreign Service’s information concerning security matters in our Division for Home-based Ambassadors disclosure aims to strengthen Iceland’s part of the world. Supported by the and special envoys. Representation position and image internationally. The National Security Council and the vis-à-vis many countries has now been Information and Analysis Division has National Security Policy, it extends to moved to Iceland and put in the hands been transferred to the new Office of effective foreign policy, defence policy, of experienced ambassadors who will the Permanent Secretary of State of the and civil security. Furthermore, the carry out these tasks from the MFA in MFA and has been assigned the new peacekeeping activities of the Iceland Reykjavík. The practice of entrusting role of overseeing various analytical Crisis Response Unit (ICRU) have home-based ambassadors with certain work on behalf of the Ministry. With been placed under the aegis of the new specified themes has been reinstated increased emphasis on analysis of infor- Defence Directorate. and could therefore create stronger ties mation and disclosure of information to Iceland’s business community and to the business community and the Honorary Consuls strengthen business relationships, inno- public, the intention is to make better In order to strengthen communica- vation, and the country’s image. Seven use of the knowledge possessed by the tions with Iceland’s honorary consuls, home-based ambassadors are currently Foreign Service and to hone foreign a new Division for Consular Affairs accredited to a large number of coun- policy. A special effort will be taken in was established under the Protocol tries and focus as well on subjects as furthering the use of new social media Department. The Department over- disarmament, geothermal energy and within the Foreign Service. sees Iceland’s 220 honorary consuls equal rights. in nearly 90 countries. Honorary Defence Directorate consuls are important outriders for Division for Internal Review A separate Defence Directorate was the protection of Iceland’s interests all A new Division for Internal Review reinstated in the Ministry, reflect- over the world. The aim of the changes monitors administrative execution with ing the strong emphasis placed on is to develop even stronger relation- the aim of fostering streamlined utilisa- defence and security issues. A strong ships with honorary consuls, through tion of human and financial resources. The activities focus mainly on inter- nal monitoring to ensure compliance Ministry for Foreign Affairs, budget 2018 with laws - including fiscal budgets - 37% DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION rules, instructions, criteria, and proce- 4% Budgetary allocations to the Foreign Ministry 5% 21% EMBASSIES dures according to which the Foreign for 2018 nearly 15 billion ISK, or 1.8% of total 10% 13% DEFENCE Service operates, and to ensure that Treasury expenditures. About half of the total 37% is used for development cooperation and 10% DIRECTORATE FOR non-discrimination and modern 10% INTERNATIONAL AND international organisations. Allocations to SECURITY AFFAIRS administrative practice are applied in diplomatic missions and the Foreign Service’s 10% HEAD OFFICE human resources affairs. Head Office total about 5 billion krónur, or 13% 0.61% of total Treasury expenditures. 21% 5% PROMOTE ICELAND AGENCY 4% OTHER 2 From the Council of Europe Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Cyprus / The Minister for Foreign Affairs being interviewed by foreign journalists / About 30,000 requests for citizens’ services are received annually EMBASSY IN COPENHAGEN ICELAND’S FIRST EMBASSY improved communications, clearer a total of over 30,000 queries are procedures, and increased exchange of received by the head offices and The Embassy was established in information. In this context, particular mission offices each year. Enhanced 1920 and is the longest-operating
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